Man Admits Destroying N.J. Sex Abuse Victims Monument

NorthJersey.com
January 15, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/news/Man_admits_destroying_NJ_sex_abuse_victims_monument.html

A New Jersey man has admitted using a sledgehammer to destroy a monument to victims of clergy sexual abuse.

Morris County authorities say Gordon Ellis pleaded guilty Wednesday to a downgraded charge of criminal mischief as a disorderly person offense. The 39-year-old Mendham man won't have to serve a jail term but must pay $7,500 in restitution and will be put on probation when he's sentenced Feb. 7.

Ellis, who authorities say has a history of psychiatric problems, destroyed the 400-pound millstone memorial outside St. Joseph Church in Mendham in November 2011. Authorities say the reasons behind the vandalism will be disclosed at the sentencing hearing.

The monument was replaced but was then vandalized again in March 2013 and replaced again. No arrests have been made in the second incident.