Top Vatican cleric Cardinal Pell convicted of child sex crimes
Cardinal George Pell leaves the County Court of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday after prosecutors decided not to proceed with a second trial on alleged historical child sexual offences. AFP-Yonhap
Australian Cardinal George Pell, who helped elect popes and ran the Vatican's finances, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two choirboys, becoming the most senior Catholic cleric convicted of child sex crimes.
Pell was found guilty after a trial in the Victorian County Court on one count of sexual abuse and four counts of indecent assault of two boys at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne in the 1990s.
Pell, now 77, was accused of cornering the boys ― then aged 12 and 13 ― in the cathedral's sacristy and forcing them to perform a sex act on him.
The cleric denied all charges and an initial trial ended with a hung jury in September, but he was convicted on December 11 after a retrial.
A wide-ranging gag order from the presiding judge had prevented the media from reporting even the existence of court proceedings and the ensuing trials since last May.
The suppression order was lifted on Tuesday after prosecutors decided against proceeding with a planned second trial dealing with separate allegations against Pell.
Pell has steadfastly denied all the allegations against him and his defense lawyer told AFP he intends to appeal the conviction.
A pre-sentencing hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. (AFP)