LOUISVILLE (KY)
WLKY
December 19, 2017
By Lauren Adams
A Louisville priest twice convicted of sexually abusing young boys could be released from prison after serving only months of his sentence.
One of Joseph Hemmerle’s victims testified before the parole board on Monday, arguing against his abuser’s freedom.
“When I was sexually abused by Mr. Hemmerle two things were taken away from me that I will never get back, my innocence and my spirituality,” Michael Norris said.
When testifying before the board Monday in Frankfort, Norris was at times fighting back tears.
The abuse happened at a Meade County camp in the 1970’s. Norris, now 55, was just 10 years old. Decades would pass, marked with drug and alcohol abuse, even a suicide attempt before Norris went public with the abuse.
Now, one year after Hemmerle’s conviction, he is eligible for parole.
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