Bond reduced for charged Md. priest
A retired Episcopal priest accused of molesting two girls while living in Cecil County is still be held in custody after a judge reduced his bond.
Prosecutors say Donald Belcher molested a 15-year-old girl in 2006 and an 8-year-old girl in September while living in North East.
After being indicted in November, he was arrested in December in Montana and was extradited to Maryland in January.
On Friday, Retired Cecil County Circuit Court Judge O. Robert Lidums reduced Belcher's bond to $100,000 from $250,000.
By
Cecil Whig
| March 8, 2011; 7:39 AM ET
Categories:
Maryland, Sex Crimes
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Don't understand why this priest's bond was reduced, but hopefully he will stay in jail and away from kids.
These brave victims are to be commended for speaking up. They should be applauded for their courage.
Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, 636-433-2511
snapjudy@gmail.com
"Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests"
http://www.snapnetwork.org/
Posted by: snapjudy | March 8, 2011 12:39 PM | Report abuse
@snapjudy...I see you have already convicted this man before he has even been tried! Just because he was indicted and extradited doesn't mean he is guilty. Has he confessed? Did he plea bargain? How about you spend some time behind bars and see if you will be so quick to judge without knowing the facts!
Posted by: freedomfighter4 | March 8, 2011 5:33 PM | Report abuse
I don't know anything about the guilt or innocence of this guy, but when a Judge sets a bond, he/she is saying that the person isn't such a risk to the community that he/she shouldn't be let out.
If the Judge determines the accused to be a flight risk or a danger to himself or others, it is the Judges duty to offer no Bail.
If a judge lowers a bond, it is probably because he/she has determined that the existing bond amount is currently high enough such that it is equivalent to offering no bail.
Posted by: JoeMck | March 9, 2011 6:24 PM | Report abuse
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