Victims blast Syracuse DA for disparaging 4th Bernie Fine accuser

December 15, 2011

Onondga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick is out of control. First, he disparages the third man who reports being abused by Bernie Fine. Then, he disparages the fourth man who reports being abused by Bernie Fine.

Is Fitzpatrick working for the citizens or for the university? Is he trying to prosecute likely criminals or persecute likely victims?

At best, his public remarks are inappropriate and insensitive. At worst, they're callous, intimidating and hurtful. And they will deter more sex crime victims into staying silent.

Imagine you've been sexually assaulted in Syracuse. Imagine your attacker is a prominent, powerful person. Now imagine how comfortable you'll feel reporting your pain to a DA who has twice in two weeks publicly assailed the credibility of others who've disclosed similar crimes.

By his reckless public remarks, Fitzpatrick is rubbing salt into the already deep and often still fresh wounds of crime victims.

Read the story here: http://www.bing.com/search?q=st.+louis+catholic&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IE8SRC

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Showing 5 comments

Michael Ference commented 2011-12-24 09:53:01 -0600
On September 9, 2011, the tenth anniversary of 911, I launched my Last Call series of protests. I’m pleased to report the following: Vatican officials are plotting to secretly retire Washington DC Cardinal Donald Wuerl and St. Vincent College Archabbott Douglas Nowicki.

My next protest will focus on the alleged homosexuality of Pittsburgh Diocese Bishop David Zubik.

Merry Christmas Bishop Zubik. Don’t you hate when we screw with your holidays.

Mike Ference

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Paul Hearn commented 2011-12-21 19:22:18 -0600
In my experience, adult victims of childhood sexual abuse do not lie about what happened to them. Most victims never admit their abuse ever happened to them. Male survivors of sexual abuse are especially reluctant to admit that they were abused due to the stigma our society has placed on male victimization. Many adult males who have admitted to childhood sexual abuse are subjected to extreme humiliation and threats. Some lose their jobs over the negative publicity. As I said in my previous post, just because a person is in prison now does not mean the abuse did not happen. I applaud the courage of any victim of sexual abuse to come forward. By the way, in my opinion, standing up for victims of sexual abuse by criminals in any organization does not constitute a “witchhunt” against the Catholic Church. Supporting the victims of sexual abuse of a university athletic coach does not mean that there is a “witchhunt” against all universities. Perpetrators of sexual abuse are criminals. There is seldom physical evidence and rarely a witness to the act. Secrecy is what the perpetrator craves. Anyone who covers for the perpetrator is just as bad if not worse for not stopping any further abuse. You don’t give a loved pet which has turned rabid to someone else to protect the pet. It will only continue to harm anyone who comes in contact with it..
Paul Hearn commented 2011-12-21 18:29:34 -0600
There are several internet references to a fourth victim. Just because the fourth victim is in prison doesn’t mean a thing. A lot of victims of childhood sexual abuse have broken lives. It doesn’t mean the abuse did not happen.
Paul Hearn commented 2011-12-18 20:21:37 -0600
The Syracuse DA is Catholic. He graduated from Catholic schools. He graduated from Syracuse University. He graduated from Syracuse University Law School. His son graduated from Syracuse University. His other son is a senior at Christian Brothers Academy and we all know how caring the Christian Brothers have been of adolescent boys. How well connected do you think DA Fitzpatrick is to Syracuse University and Syracuse Catholic Bishop Cunningham?

http://www.ongovda.net/section/meet_the_da/

Paul Hearn Central PA SNAP (717)-450-5212
David Clohessy published this page in Media Statements 2011-12-15 16:48:00 -0600

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