Whitebear
Publisher/Editor-in-chief
Judge allows rape case against priest to proceed
By Ralph Ranalli, Globe Staff | May 19, 2004
CAMBRIDGE -- A Middlesex Superior Court judge yesterday refused to throw out child rape charges against a former Waltham priest, saying that a jury should decide whether the Rev. Robert V. Gale was indicted after the statute of limitations for his alleged crimes had expired.
Gale was indicted in August 2002 on charges that he repeatedly raped an altar boy at St. Jude's Church in Waltham between 1980 and 1984. The victim
who was between 10 and 14 years old, was molested by Gale about twice a month during that time, Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley's office has charged.
A family friend said the victim&#
39;
parents, who attended the hearing, were "tremendously reliev
ed" that the judge did not dismiss the case.
"They're hoping that a jury will finally offer some justice for the family and the victim -- and for [Gale's] other victims," said the friend, Bonnie Gorman.
Gale attempted to have the charges thrown out of court, arguing that they were filed after the 15-year statute of limitations for rape had expired. Prosecutors argued that Gale had moved out of state to New Hampshire, an action that would temporarily stop the clock for the statute of limitations.
Gale, however, insisted through his attorney that he was living in Brighton and only visiting New Hampshire, where his sister lives.
Both sides presented evidence supporting their claims at a h
earing last fall, and Judge Sandra L. Hamlin ruled yesterday that they would have to do so again at Gale's upcoming trial on four counts of rape of a child.
Gale and his attorney, Robert D. L
ewin of Mal
den, both declined to comment as they left Middlesex Superior Court yesterday.
By Ralph Ranalli, Globe Staff | May 19, 2004
CAMBRIDGE -- A Middlesex Superior Court judge yesterday refused to throw out child rape charges against a former Waltham priest, saying that a jury should decide whether the Rev. Robert V. Gale was indicted after the statute of limitations for his alleged crimes had expired.
Gale was indicted in August 2002 on charges that he repeatedly raped an altar boy at St. Jude's Church in Waltham between 1980 and 1984. The victim
who was between 10 and 14 years old, was molested by Gale about twice a month during that time, Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley's office has charged.
A family friend said the victim&#
39;
parents, who attended the hearing, were "tremendously reliev
ed" that the judge did not dismiss the case.
"They're hoping that a jury will finally offer some justice for the family and the victim -- and for [Gale's] other victims," said the friend, Bonnie Gorman.
Gale attempted to have the charges thrown out of court, arguing that they were filed after the 15-year statute of limitations for rape had expired. Prosecutors argued that Gale had moved out of state to New Hampshire, an action that would temporarily stop the clock for the statute of limitations.
Gale, however, insisted through his attorney that he was living in Brighton and only visiting New Hampshire, where his sister lives.
Both sides presented evidence supporting their claims at a h
earing last fall, and Judge Sandra L. Hamlin ruled yesterday that they would have to do so again at Gale's upcoming trial on four counts of rape of a child.
Gale and his attorney, Robert D. L
ewin of Mal
den, both declined to comment as they left Middlesex Superior Court yesterday.