Man Facing Rape Charges Allowed Religious Trip To Vatican

QUICY (MA)
TheBostonChannel

BOSTON — A Quincy developer facing statutory rape charges was granted permission to travel to Italy for a private guided tour of the Vatican.

William O’Connell, 72, was indicted on four counts of statutory rape, stemming from his alleged involvement with a now 15-year-old girl during a two-year period, according to the Patriot Ledger.

Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Kenneth J. Fishman granted O’Connell’s request to travel to Rome at the end of this month.

According to a request filed in court, the purpose of his trip is to “have a religious experience by having many private guided tours of the Vatican in order to more thoroughly understand the history of the Roman Catholic Church,” the newspaper reported.

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