New Orleans priest accused of molesting children will not go to trial today after judge recuses himself

By Aubry Killion

Investigative Reporter

A trial for a former New Orleans priest accused of molesting children will not move forward Tuesday after the judge in the case recused himself.

Judge Ben Willard announced in court that the trial against Lawrence Hecker would not move forward and recused himself.

Willard cited disrespect from the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office as his reason for recusal.

The Clerk of Court moved the case to Section G of the court to oversee the remainder of the proceedings.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams voiced his frustration with the delay and decision by Judge Willard, but said his feelings pale in comparison with Hecker's accusers.

Williams said many of Hecker's accusers had to relive their trauma this week in preparation of the trial.

Hecker was not in court for the proceeding. He is currently in the hospital with a urinary tract infection.

This comes after months of delays in the trial following multiple mental competency evaluations.

A doctor confirmed that Hecker does have Alzheimer's and dementia, but a ruling was never made on whether or not he was fully competent to stand trial.

Williams' office issued the following statement regarding the recusal:

The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office is deeply dismayed by today’s developments in Criminal District Court, Section C, which have resulted in yet another unjustifiable delay in the long-overdue trial of disgraced Catholic priest Lawrence Hecker. Despite numerous defense-driven delays and exhaustive court hearings assessing the defendant's fitness to stand trial, today's proceedings were abruptly halted when Hecker was unexpectedly absent from the courtroom.

"The prosecution was blindsided by this unforeseen absence and even more disturbed by the court's lack of transparency. The court provided only a vague note to both the prosecution and defense, stating that the defendant had been transported to the University Medical Center (at taxpayer expense), without further explanation or inquiry into his condition or whereabouts.

“After months of waiting and endless delays, our prosecutors arrived today prepared to proceed, only to be met with yet another setback,” said DA Williams.

“To add insult to injury, when we sought to verify the defendant’s condition and assess whether the trial could continue later in the day, the judge abruptly and unexpectedly announced his recusal. Such a decision, made without substantial justification or prior notice, is both unprofessional and a disservice to the judicial process.”

"The timing and handling of the judge’s recusal raise serious concerns about the fairness and integrity of these proceedings. Offering an explanation only after the defendant’s absence, and without due consideration for the survivors who have been awaiting justice for decades, is far from the standard expected of the bench. This pattern of delay has now reached a critical and damaging point, unnecessarily prolonging the pursuit of justice.

“The survivors of Lawrence Hecker’s reported horrific abuses have already endured unimaginable pain and suffering,” stated DA Williams.

https://www.wdsu.com/article/new-orleans-priest-lawrence-hecker-judge-recuses-self/62349999