Retired Catholic priest and admitted serial child molester, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and raping a boy in the 1970s. Scheduled to receive a mandatory life sentence on 18 December in New Orleans, 93-year-old Lawrence Hecker’s plea is a rare conviction linked to the Catholic Church’s long-standing abuse scandal. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams says Hecker plead guilty to every count…
“He understands that when we come back on the 18th the judge is going to sentence him to a life sentence.”
Williams says Hecker’s victim, who was assaulted in a church bell tower converted into a weightlifting room, had reported the attack to his school principal, who failed to inform authorities.
“Decades ago these little boys told adults what happened to them and they weren’t believed. There was a lot of legal machinations and gymnastics just to get to a trial date, and I knew when we got this firm trial date there would not be a place for this predator to run.”
Hecker’s guilty plea was welcomed by survivors prepared to testify about decades of abuse. Williams described the plea as significant for survivors seeking justice.
“Crimes against women and children in this country have to be taken seriously and have to be prioritized, and if adults don’t do their part then predators are left to reoffend and hurt other people.”
Investigations have expanded into whether the archdiocese concealed systemic abuse. No senior clergy have been charged in connection with Hecker’s crimes.
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