Paedophile Priest Seen Covered in Blood on Day of Mother's Slaying, ABC Reveals

By Robyn Grace
The Age
June 28, 2017

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/paedophile-priest-seen-covered-in-blood-on-day-of-mothers-slaying-abc-reveals-20170628-gx0ojq.html

A paedophile priest was seen covered in blood on the day of the frenzied stabbing murder of a mother in the back of her Thornbury bookshop, a new report has revealed.

The ABC uncovered the new information in its podcast Trace, which attempts to shine new light on the 1980 cold case murder of Maria James.

Maria James was stabbed in a Thornbury bookshop in 1980.

Ms James, 38, was stabbed 68 times in her home at the back of the bookshop.

Electrician Allan Hircoe told the podcast he had seen Father Anthony Bongiorno on the day of the murder with blood on his face and both hands, just 50 metres from the crime scene.

Father Anthony Bongiorno was seen covered in blood on the day of Maria James' murder. Photo: ABC

Mr Hircoe said the priest had told him he'd cut himself on a wire fence.

When he returned from retrieving his first-aid kit, Bongiorno was gone.