HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 12-06 Ex-Maplewood priest's criminal sex case goes to jury PIONEER PRESS Ex-Maplewood priest's criminal sex case goes to jury VE' ,
p p 9 1 rY ��C����L°
Updated 12/06/201412.06:39 AM CST TwinCities.corn
DEC 0 P 14
Ex-Maplewood priest's criminal sex case goes to jury
CITY C'FfrPLEKTD
• Dec 3:
• Ex-Maplewood priest: Woman testifies 'friendship' for Huberty meant 'sexual things'
• Dec 2:
• Ex-Maplewood priest: sex predator or victim?
• Dec 1.
• Jury selection starts in former Maplewood priest's sex case
• May 15:
• Woman in Maplewood priest's sex case gets threatening letters, prosecutor says
• May1:
• Maplewood priest in sex case involved with other women, prosecutor says
• Mar24:
Mark Andrew Huberty
(Courtesy of Ramsey • Maplewood priest in sex misconduct case faces new charge
Countysheriff’,s • Jan 28:
office) • Maplewood priest faces trial in sex misconduct case, judge rules
• Dec 18:
• Maplewood priest accused of sex misconduct appears in court
• Nov 19:
• Maplewood priest fondled female parishioner, charges say
• Oct 10:
• Woman says Maplewood priest led her into sexual relationship
• Sep 23:
• Maplewood priest takes leave of absence; woman accuses him of inappropriate touching
There's little question that the relationship between the Rev. Mark Huberty and a female parishioner
crossed some lines-- he's a priest, she's a married mother of four.
But the question for jurors, who will determine if Huberty's actions were criminal, is whether the former
Maplewood priest was acting as a spiritual adviser for the woman when their relationship became sexual.
Huberty, 44, has been charged with fourth- and fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct. The former charge
alleges he had sexual contact with the woman while providing spiritual aid or comfort in private. Under
Minnesota law, that is a felony for a clergy member.
Attorneys for both sides gave closing arguments Friday afternoon in Ramsey County District Court and
the case was handed to the jury about 4 p.m. Judge Patrick Diamond sent jurors home at 5:30 p.m.; they
will resume deliberations Monday.
In his closing argument, defense attorney Paul Engh said that the demarcation was clear when the
relationship between Huberty and the woman went from priest/ penitent to friendship and that the woman
not only consented to the relationship but pursued it aggressively.
"She wasn't seeking spiritual advice," Engh told the jury. "She was seeking a friendship of her own brand.
She pursued him."
Engh called the woman a liar and questioned her account of events. He said the woman was "interested
in hustling a priest."
The prosecution said Huberty preyed on the emotional vulnerabilities of a woman with mental health
issues who sought him out for spiritual guidance after the death of her brother.
Huberty began grooming the woman for a sexual relationship, the prosecutor said.
"Many women wouldn't fall for this. But she did," prosecutor Therese Galatowitsch told the jury. "She
trusted him, didn't want to lose him as a friend. She looked up to him in so many ways. ... Surely he
wouldn't lead her down the wrong path."
The prosecutor also reminded the jury that the woman's consent had no bearing on the charge.
"The fact that she did it does not get him off the hook," Galatowitsch said, noting that priests-- like
teachers, doctors, and others in positions of authority -- are barred from certain sexual relationships.
The Pioneer Press generally does not identify people characterized as victims of sex crimes.
The sexual contact between the two occurred in Huberty's car, in the woman's home and on trips on his
private plane (Huberty is a pilot), the woman said. There was intimate touching, but the pair did not have
intercourse, according to testimony.
The contact began in January 2013 and continued until mid-April 2013.
Emily Gurnon contributed to this report. Elizabeth Mohr can be reached at 651-228-5162. Follow her at
twitter.com/LizMohr.