BishopAccountability.org

Deacon testifies in case of former priest accused of child molestation

KATC
February 3, 2016

http://www.katc.com/story/31131222/deacon-testifies-in-case-of-former-priest-accused-of-child-molestation


[with video]

Wednesday was the third day of trial for former priest Mark Broussard, who is facing child molestation charges that date back to the 1980's.

Broussard was living in Duson when he was arrested in 2012 on rape and sexual battery charges after a letter surfaced in late 2011, alleging that the former priest had sexually abused a Calcasieu Parish man as a child.

Wednesday morning, the prosecution was still calling witnesses for its case. A deacon with the Lake Charles Diocese took the stand to testify for the state.

The deacon presented Broussard's personnel files from when he was with the diocese, including a letter Broussard wrote to his friends and family in 1994.

The letter was written two days before his resignation from the priesthood to tell his loved ones that he was leaving the church, "It is best for me and it is best for the Church," read one line of the letter.

Defense attorneys later asked the deacon if all of Broussard's files were produced to the court with the subpoena. The defense suggested there was one file left out of the record regarding a complaint and monetary settlement that involved Broussard.

The deacon admitted he had knowledge of that document, but told the court that he believed everything requested by the subpoena had been turned in properly.

The deacon's testimony comes after two prior days of testimony, including three alleged victims of Broussard's sexual abuse and one of the victim's mothers.

Wednesday afternoon, a detective who worked on the investigation into the allegations against Broussard testified.

The detective said she interviewed the alleged victims in the case and believed them to be very credible and convincing. The detective testified that all of the witnesses said that any time they were with Broussard, there was inappropriate activity. 

The detective also interviewed Broussard in Lafayette Parish in 2012 about his involvement in the sex crimes.

The trial is set to continue Thursday morning.

 




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