Priest faces trial in nun's apparent ritual slaying

Appearance of ritual slaying
However, police have said the nun’s killing appeared to be some type of ritual slaying. They have refused to elaborate, other than to say that the body was posed to look as though she had been sexually assaulted, with the nun’s underwear pulled down.

Dave Davison, the first police officer to arrive in the chapel, said he saw no evidence of a ritual and called those claims a “smokescreen” set by the killer to throw off investigators.

It is not known whether there will be any mention of ritual abuse at Robinson’s trial.

Dawn Perlmutter, an expert on religious violence and ritualistic crimes, has been assisting prosecutors, and said that in previous cases she has advised prosecutors not to mention claims of ritualistic acts.

“It just muddies the water,” she said. “People do not want to believe these things go on. It can really affect the outcome.”

Suspect on leave
Robinson was transferred from the hospital a year after the slaying and became pastor at three parishes in Toledo. At the time of his arrest he ministered to the sick and dying in nursing homes. He is on leave but is allowed to wear his priest’s collar.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys are not commenting, saying the judge has ordered them not to talk about the case. Robinson is free on bail. He cannot get the death penalty because it was not in effect at the time of the slaying.

Jack Sparagowski, a parishioner at an inner-city church where Robinson used to celebrate Mass on Easter weekend, set up a legal defense fund that raised $12,000. Some family members and supporters put their houses up to post a $400,000 bond.

“For someone to commit murder, you have to have a violent streak,” Sparagowski said. “I’ve never heard father raise his voice or show any expression of anger. The whole thing seems so bizarre.”

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Questions grow after cops shoot NYC peddler 100-year-old child molester to be freed Cops: Woman pours hot grits on man SEC probes 9 deals for insider trading: report Raw deal? Woman charged over steak attack Cops: Va. student’s rifle jammed US killings suspect waives right to speedy trial Ky. clinic killing highlights region's drug issues Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: