MICHIGAN
The Detroit News
By Candice Williams
The Detroit News
Detroit— Three Michigan Court of Appeals judges heard arguments Thursday in a case that could affect if and when church confessions can be used in court. The panel is expected to decide within a few weeks if the pastor of a Belleville church violated the state’s priest-penitent privilege when he testified against a church member during the preliminary exam for a rape case.
Pastor John Vaprezsan of Metro Baptist Church had testified in March that the defendant, Samuel D. Bragg, then 17, had admitted in 2009 to raping a 9-year-old girl two years earlier when she spent the night at his house.
Bragg’s mother was present for the meeting.
Raymond Cassar, Bragg’s defense attorney, said during Thursday’s hearing the confession was privileged communication and cannot be used in court.
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