Split verdict in NW Pa. priest’s trial over teen

PENNSYLVANIA
San Antonio Express-News

SMETHPORT, Pa. (AP) — Jurors in northwestern Pennsylvania have reached a split verdict in the trial of a priest accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old boy.

The McKean County jury deliberated for more than seven hours Wednesday before convicting the Rev. Samuel Slocum of a felony count of concealment of the whereabouts of a child as well as corruption of minors, The Bradford Era (http://bit.ly/A1zcY5) said. But the panel acquitted Slocum of another felony count of interference with the custody of a child and a misdemeanor count of loitering and prowling at night.

Police earlier testified that Slocum, 60, told officers that he bought the boy’s attention with expensive gifts because he felt “old and alone” but contended that he acted more like the boy’s “Dad” despite flirtatious-sounding messages prosecutors said he sent the boy without his mother’s knowledge.

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