Yvon Arsenault, accused of abusing 4 boys, to return to court on Dec. 9 for preliminary inquiry
Posted:Sep 02, 2014 11:51 AM AT
Last Updated:Sep 02, 2014 12:14 PM AT
The case of a former New Brunswick Roman Catholic priest, who is facing eight sex abuse charges involving boys dating back to the 1970s, has been adjourned for three months.
Yvon Arsenault, who was suspended by the Archdioces of Moncton in July 2012, is scheduled to have a preliminary inquiry on Dec. 9. (CBC)
Yvon Arsenault, 71, of Aldouane, was scheduled to have a preliminary inquiry in Moncton court on Tuesday.
But the matter was set over until Dec. 9 at the request of his defence lawyer, who wanted all of the alleged victims to be present.
Arsenault did not appear in court.
He is charged with three counts of indecent assault, four counts of gross indecency and one count of sexual assault involving four boys under the age of 18.
The incidents are alleged to have occurred in Shediac, Rosaireville and Collette, N.B., in the 1970s and early 1980s.
The RCMP started an investigation in December 2012 as a result of a complaint.
Arsenault was removed from his position by the Archdiocese in Moncton in July 2012 and retired the same month.
He was charged in December 2013 and elected earlier this year to be tried by judge and jury.
The preliminary inquiry will determine if there’s enough evidence to proceed to a trial
My apologies to the complainants – I had not added today’s courtdate to the legal calendar and hence missed alerting everyone. I had the date on the Father Yvon Arsenault page, but must have had a phone call before adding it to the legal calendar and then it unfortunately slipped my mind. I rely totally on the calendar to keep track of what is going on in court so, please, if you notice an upcoming court date which belongs on the Legal Calender is missing, let me know.
That aside, first of all, Father Yvbon Arsenault is not an ex-priest; he is till very much a priest int he Roman Catholic Church. He may be retired, but, he is still a priest. He may even be suspended, but, he is still a priest.
And that said, what the heck is going on here? A preliminary hearing scheduled months ago has been adjourned to December! Just like that?
I will keep an eye for further media coverage and hopefully explanation.
My thoughts and prayers are with the complainants. This strange turn of events must have been quite a shock and disappointment to all.
“But the matter was set over until Dec. 9 at the request of his defence lawyer, who wanted all of the alleged victims to be present.”
WHAT????….
This sounds like another delaying tactic, unless he was going to plead guilty. For his lawyer to ask for a delay to have ” all of the alleged victims present” sounds like another “crafty” move. Will they then blame the victims for that delay, because they are not all present?
Then again, maybe the lawyer has just found another angle to milk the system!!! That would be a first!!!….
Never heard of such a reason for a delay unless they are all to be witnesses at the preliminary. Are they trying to intimidate the victims again?
There is a fly in that ointment!
jg
I was waiting for this one with bated breath… and so I’m not that surprised that this took an unexpected turn… I’m not sure what will happen if all “alleged victims” don’t show… even though thorough statements were given to the RCMP (video-recorded). So would victims be expected to take the stand at a preliminary hearing???
I’m really not sure how to feel about this… will have to wait for instructions – talk to someone – any suggestions?
jj
Victims who are called to the stand to testify at a preliminary hearing usually know beforehand that they will be called. Call the Crown who is handling the case jj. The Crown will know what is going on and will be able to advise you.
Thank you, Sylvia. As always, solid advice. I will follow up with the Crown Prosecutor’s office in Moncton, and find out what to expect next.
Reading through a “Victim’ Guide to the Canadian Justice System” (found at http://www.crcvc.ca/docs/A_Victims_Guide_to_the_Canadian_CJS_07.pdf), I found it interesting that alleged victims were usually requested by the Crown during preliminary hearings, so that they could make a stronger case to get to trial, and not by the defense counsel… I look forward to seeing how this unfolds.
jj
Boy, do they know how to play the system -delay and exhaust – and they play that game using the hard-earned money of their faithful parishioners and hard-working fund raisers – money that has been secured for many decades/centuries. The RC church is a rich institution and they want us to fund priest’s retirement, too.
Priests don’t take a vow of poverty like the Nuns; weren’t they smart enough to plan for their retirement like the rest are expected to do? It is utterly amazing the things they expect of us. The politics of this religious system is deep and well orchestrated and our brains are dumbed down by guilt and false burden bearing and other apps of psychology We can barely think for ourselves. I’m so grateful for this blog. It helps me vent a little.
Agree……
It always bothered me about those envelopes stuck in the offertory
package for the priests retirement.I put them in the garbage.
Most Companies,corporations,governments,municipalities,school boards,provide some sort of pension plan for their employees.The RCC ,the richest organization on earth should be able to do the same for their employees.