Priest given continuance in appearance in town court

By Glenn Griffith
Saratogian
June 11, 2014

http://www.saratogian.com/general-news/20140611/priest-given-continuance-in-appearance-in-town-court

Shown from left are attorney Daniel Stewart and Rev. James Michael Taylor

Clifton Park >> A Catholic priest arrested in April on one charge of endangering the welfare of a child appeared in Clifton Park Town Court on Wednesday and had his case adjourned until July.

Rev. James Michael Taylor, 30, walked into the town’s Public Safety Building with head held high shortly before the 4 p.m. start of court. He was accompanied by his attorney, Daniel Stewart. Neither man commented on the case as they entered the building.

After a request from a member of the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office, Taylor’s case was continued until July 23.

An assistant district attorney, who said he was not in charge of the case, told Town Judge James Hughes the continuance was needed because more evidence is being processed.

As part of the 15-minute proceeding, Taylor was given and signed a second temporary order of protection. It forbids him from contacting the 15-year-old Clifton Park girl who made the initial charges against him.

Taylor is an associate pastor at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Niskayuna. He was arrested in April by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department and charged on a misdemeanor complaint for allegedly endangering the welfare of a child from October 2013 to April 2014. At the time, he was a deacon and youth minister at Corpus Christi Church in Round Lake.

Dressed in a patterned gray suit with a white shirt and dark tie, Taylor said little to the judge other than to thank him before turning to leave court. Neither he nor his attorney made any comment as they left the building.

The complaint filed with the court by the sheriff’s office April 22 alleges that Taylor knowingly acted in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less than 17 years old. The filing alleges Taylor, in his role with the church, subjected the girl to sexual contact as well as engaged in repeated courses of conduct involving inappropriate text messages, pictures and phone calls. At the time, the girl was said to be 15 years old.

According to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany Taylor was placed on administrative leave by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger shortly after learning of the allegations. Diocese spokesman Ken Goldfarb said upon hearing them, the diocese immediately contacted the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department.

Taylor cannot present himself as a priest while on administrative leave.

Several members of Corpus Christi Church attended the brief hearing in the town court. Most would not speak for comment. One person was overheard saying Taylor looked as if he had lost weight.

One parishioner who would speak was Clifton Park resident Robert Ritter.

“Justice will prevail in this case, and it always should,” he said.