Priest in court for role in daughters beating

Regional news

updated 6:19 p.m. ET Nov. 5, 2009

A partying priest is heading to trial for his role in a vicious beatdown. Gregory Malia used to be a priest at Episcopalian churches in West Pittston and Susquehanna County. He was suspended for his questionable social life. Police say Malia watched his girlfriend pummel his own daughter. Malia had a preliminary hearing in Plains Township this afternoon. Hes facing assault charges for his role in own daughter's severe beating. Luzerne County assistant district attorney Jennifer Roberts said, "Any time that there's a family dispute like this where it involves a victim who's a family member its very heart breaking. It's much more devastating." On July 7th, father Malia and his girlfriend went to the River Street Ale House in plains for a night of drinking and dancing. Malia's estranged daughter was there. Father Malia's girlfriend started fighting his daughter, then according to police, things got very dangerous. Marilyn Malia's boyfriend tried to break up the fight but that's when police say Gregory Malia pulled out a gun, put one in the chamber and pointed it at everyone. Malia was later arrested with his girlfriend. They're both headed to trial for assault charges. Earlier this year, published reports depicted Malia as New York City's "partying priest. He apparently spent thousands at lavish city nightclubs. This after serving as a priest here at Trinity Church in West Pittston and St. James in Susquehanna County. On Thursday, Malia was in court for a squabble outside a bar in plains. Malia's attorney Nanda Palissery said, "The daughters upset and the father i represent is also very upset. It's a difficult situation for everyone involved, no doubt about it. You can imagine what it's like." Mariyln Malia's attorney says she needed nose surgery after the beating. A judge dropped father Malia's aggravated assault down to simple assault Thursday. There wasn't enough evidence to prove father Malia's gun was loaded the night of the fight. At last check father Malia was suspended from his duties at St. James. He's also the owner of New Life Home Care, a specialty blood-medicine pharmacy. Read more atpahomepage.com.

advertisement | your ad here