Marion Co. Priest Indicted on Sex Abuse Charges to Face Trial Next Year

WDRB
November 20, 2014

http://www.wdrb.com/story/27441608/marion-co-priest-indicted-on-sex-abuse-charges-to-go-to-trial-next-year

The case of a Marion County priest indicted on sex abuse charges will go to trial next year.

Father Joseph Hemmerle had nothing to say when leaving the courtroom.

A man made the claims this past May, saying it happened in the 1970s.

Hemmerle was a priest at St. Francis and Holy Cross Parishes in Marion County, and a teacher and coach at Trinity High School in Louisville. However, the alleged abuse took place in Meade County.

In September, Father Hemmerle was indicted on three counts of sexual abuse and six counts of sodomy involving a child under 12 years old.

He left the courtroom today without saying anything, but his three-day trial was set for next September.

Also in the courtroom was a local group called SNAP, which stands for Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. Victims turn to them for support, especially during the court proceedings.

"In this case, one of the victims lives in Houston and we told him we would be there and we could report back or at least be a presence here in the courtroom," said Cal Pfeiffer, a SNAP member.

The prosecutor in the case did subpoena records from the Archdiocese in Louisville and also from Trinity High School that will be part of this case.

Father Hemmerle is currently on administrative leave. He is expected back in court in July, before his trial in September.