Former Vatican treasurer George Pell walks free from jail after a court overturned five counts of sexually abusing two 13-year-old choirboys in the 1990s
Cardinal George Pell sits in the back seat of a car as he leaves prison in Geelong, Australia Tuesday, April 7, 2020.
The seven judges of the High Court agreed unanimously that the jury in the cardinal's trial "ought to have entertained a doubt" as to his guilt. Pell, who has maintained his innocence throughout the lengthy court process, cannot be retried on the charges.
Pell, a polarising figure in Australia for his conservative views remained a cardinal but lost his treasurer role last year when he became the highest-ranked Catholic official worldwide to be jailed for child sex offences. Pell's accuser, one of two boys the archbishop was alleged to have assaulted had said the offences took place shortly after Sunday masses, in the priests' sacristy and corridor of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne, while Pell was robed.
After an appeal to a lower court upheld the guilty verdict, Pell's lawyers took the case to the High Court.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cardinal Pell to walk free after Australian court acquittalAustralia’s highest court acquits former Vatican treasurer George Pell of sexually assaulting two teenaged choirboys in the 1990s, allowing the 78-year-old cardinal to walk free from jail by SonaliPaul2
Read more »
Cardinal George Pell to be freed as High Court overturns sex abuse convictionCardinal George Pell will be immediately freed from prison after Australia's High Court unanimously overturned his conviction on five counts of historical child sex abuse.
Read more »
Cardinal Pell to walk free after Australian court acquittalAustralia’s highest court acquits former Vatican treasurer George Pell of sexually assaulting two teenaged choirboys in the 1990s, allowing the 78-year-old cardinal to walk free from jail by SonaliPaul2
Read more »
Cardinal George Pell to be freed as High Court overturns sex abuse convictionCardinal George Pell will be immediately freed from prison after Australia's High Court unanimously overturned his conviction on five counts of historical child sex abuse.
Read more »