Judge Throws Out Conviction Of Priest

March 9, 2020 4:36 pm

PITTSBURGH (AP) – A judge in western Pennsylvania has thrown out the conviction of a retired Roman Catholic priest accused of having assaulted a boy almost two decades ago. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Anthony Mariani said Monday he believed the Rev. Hugh Lang hadn’t received a fair trial. A spokesman for the county district attorney’s office vowed an appeal, saying officials believed the decision was “contrary to the law.”  The 89-year-old defendant was convicted of indecent assault and other charges involving a preteen boy in 2001 when he was pastor of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Munhall. He denied any abuse.