Survivors of clergy sex abuse want accountability following Priest released on house arrest
The release of a priest convicted of molesting a teenage boy is raising questions for the judicial system and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Michael Guidry is out on bail tonight.
One-year-ago this week, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with three years suspended, after pleading guilty to molestation of a juvenile.
According to court records, Guidry's defense counsel, Jane Hogan, requested an emergency appeal hearing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guidry's attorney appeared before the court through video conference and waived her defendant's appearance. Guidry's defense then submitted an emergency motion for bail, which the court granted and set at $10,000 over objections from state prosecutors.
Survivors of clergy sex abuse want accountability.
"This perp is a dangerous perpetrator and what does that say to the individual he sexually abused? I don't care how long ago it was," said Kevin Bourgeois.
He's a survivor of clergy sex abuse and a volunteer leader of the Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests in New Orleans. Bourgeois is disturbed that convicted priest Michael Guidry is out on house arrest.
"What that does is send a message to survivors who had the courage to come forward that their life is not as important as this sex offender's life is," Bourgeois said.
Prosecutors objected to Guidry's release.
"It's highly unusual that a convicted felon for child molestation would be given house arrest pending an appeal," said Tommy Guilbeau.
Guilbeau, a criminal defense attorney who is not representing Guidry said although the release is unusual, he thinks the judge made the right call given the pande...