The jury that convicted the Rev. Gerald Robinson Thursday listened to 41 witnesses during the three-week trial, but they did not hear every piece of information authorities uncovered in the course of their investigation.
Prosecutors were barred by law from presenting some evidence against the priest. Other information was deemed irrelevant to the murder of Sr. Margaret Ann Pahl or open to too many interpretations to benefit their case. Among the things jurors did not hear.
Instead, Pope Benedict XVI, increasingly wary of foreign leaders using meetings at the Vatican for political purposes, gave Hugo Chavez, the aggressively populist left-wing leader, a stern lecture on the need to respect religious freedom in a nation where 96% of the population is Roman Catholic.
Senor Chavez, who arrives in London this weekend, last year described the Church as a “tumour” and denounced Venezuela’s bishops as out-of-touch, elitist “devils in cassocks."
The Vatican noted dryly that during the 35-minute audience Senor Chavez ... who faces elections in December ... had “briefed the Holy Father on projects for social change under way in his country."
Administrators of a suburban Detroit Catholic girls school canceled a free concert by R&B star Ne-Yo because of his sexually explicit lyrics..
The students at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Mich., had won a contest sponsored by a radio station and a nearby maker of seatbelts, by signing petitions that pledged always to buckle up, the Detroit Free Press reported
Jimmy Smith, one of the most prolific receivers in NFL history, has decided to retire.
Smith, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who overcame several health problems and a drug addiction during his 12 seasons, scheduled a news conference at 1 p.m. ET Thursday with the Jacksonville Jaguars to announce the decision.
The 37-year-old receiver led the Jags with 70 catches for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns last season. He ranks seventh in NFL history with 862 receptions and 11th in receiving yards. He has more receptions than every receiver in the Hall of Fame, and only Marvin Harrison has more catches and yards receiving than Smith since 1996.
Catholic priest Gerald Robinson was found guilty today of the murder 26 years ago of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl.
The jury deliberated for six hours and 25 minutes yesterday and this morning before delivering its verdict.
Robinson appeared to have no reaction after the verdict was reached. He was immediately sentenced to 15 years to life in prison by Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas Osowik. Robinson has 30 days to appeal.
After five years trying to conceive, Kelly and Eric Romenesko decided to try in vitro fertilization.
Their twins, Alexandria and Allison, were born last year. It was a joyous event in the couple's life.
"They're miracles. They're precious," Kelly Romenesko said.
The couple were not prepared for what came next. When Kelly, a teacher at two Catholic schools in Wisconsin, told her bosses she had gotten pregnant through in vitro, they handed her a pink slip.
Kelly Romenesko wanted to get her story before the public, but appearing live on network TV was a little more exposure than she had anticipated.
A camera crew from ABC's "Good Morning America" was setting up at the Romenesko's house Wednesday night for a live broadcast this morning.
Oh, and Geraldo called. So did CNN.
Romenesko lost her teaching job with ACES/Xavier, the system that runs Appleton's seven Catholic schools, in 2004 for having in-vitro fertilization. The procedure violated her contract with the district, which requires teachers to act and teach in accordance with church doctrine. Unbeknownst to Romenesko, the Roman Catholic Church opposes in-vitro fertilization.
Evangelical churches across the nation are launching an aggressive effort to save souls by talking about a fictional murder mystery that many regard as blasphemous.
Pastors are setting out doughnuts and sandwiches and inviting non-Christians to come discuss "The Da Vinci Code" bestseller. They're creating hip marketing campaigns to draw nonbelievers to sermons about the thriller. They're even giving away free iPods loaded with their commentary on the novel.
