A former Catholic priest dying of cancer was sentenced Friday to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage boy at a church, with a judge saying it was time for the former clergyman to "face the consequences."
James Schook, who sought several delays to his criminal case, glanced at his family members in the courtroom before being taken into custody Friday morning.
Schook, 66, made no statements and did not testify during his April trial in Louisville.
The trial had been repeatedly delayed after Schook was indicted on sex abuse charges in 2011. He had argued that he was too frail from late-stage skin cancer and on too many medications to stand trial.
During the sentencing hearing, Schook's attorney, David Lambertus, urged the judge to keep Schook out of prison by allowing him to serve out his term on probation. Lambertus also asked if Schook could remain out of prison on bond while his case is appealed.
"It would make a joke of the appeal if Mr. Schook goes to prison, dies there and then an appeals court" finds an error in the criminal trial, Lambertus said.
Jefferson County Circuit Judge Mitch Perry denied both requests, saying it was time for Schook to "face the consequences of his actions."
James Schook, Priest Convicted Of Sexual Abuse Of Teen, Gets 15 Years
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