NEW HAMPSHIRE
U.S. News
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A former priest who was convicted in New Hampshire of sexually assaulting two teenage boys in the 1990s and sentenced to 30 years in prison has been granted parole because he has terminal cancer.
WMUR-TV reports Roger Fortier had about 11 years left on his sentence. But after a doctor said Thursday that he has about six months to live, the state parole board agreed his condition was incurable and that the cost of caring for him would be high. Fortier plans to live with his sister, under house arrest. A parole officer would need to approve it.
Fortier said Thursday he’s sorry and has no excuse for what he did.
Fortier, formerly of St. Peters Church in Farmington, was convicted in 1998. His lawyer argued one boy made up the claims, and the other boy was schizophrenic and wasn’t taking his medication.
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