Seminarian Phillip G. Speers
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ
Speers, a former seminary student and teacher at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Yuma, was accused of abusing at least five girls in a second grade class in 1999-2000 as well as possession of child pornography. Settlement of $1.8M in 2003 with the girls and their families. Convicted in 2002 and 2003 but decisions reversed by AZ court of appeals. Retried in 8/2007 and found guilty. Sentenced to 34 years in prison. Possession of child pornography charges dropped. Included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused.
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