Plea deal possible for Catholic priest in Syracuse accused of having child porn

By Douglass Dowty
Syracuse.com
June 11, 2014

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/06/plea_deal_possible_for_catholic_priest_in_syracuse_accused_of_having_child_porn.html

Robert Ours

Robert Ours leaves County Court in Syracuse.

Syracuse, NY -- A plea deal may be in the works for a Catholic priest living in Syracuse accused of possessing child pornography.

County Court Judge Joseph Fahey indicated that the case may reach a disposition -- in all likelihood a plea deal -- at the next July 8 court appearance.

Robert Ours, 65, was charged with six counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child in an indictment unsealed May 21.

The Catholic Diocese of Syracuse reported the allegations of child porn to the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office several months ago.

A priest since 1980, Ours has lived at the Tommy Coyne Residence for Priests since retiring in 2012, said diocese Director of Communications Danielle Cummings. He led churches in the Southern Tier before then.

Ours had no known history of pornography or sexual abuse, Cummings said at the time of his arrest. He left ministry for unrelated personal reasons.

One of the priest's lawyers, Emil Rossi, declined comment today. Michael Spano is also representing Ours.