December 30, 2003


A Middlesex Superior Court judge is to decide by week’s end whether an attorney for the Rev. Paul Shanley can use confidential files as he prepares to defend his client against child rape and abuse charges. Shanley, a key figure in the Catholic clergy sexual abuse scandal, and his attorney, Frank Mondano, appeared briefly yesterday before Judge Paul A. Chernoff for a pretrial hearing. Mondano has asked prosecutors for documents that he claims are necessary to prepare Shanley’s defense. Chernoff said he would review the files by Friday to determine if they could be released to Mondano and prosecutors. After the hearing, Mondano said he expected that the documents — therapy files for three of four men whose allegations form the basis of the state’s case against Shanley — would be released. (AP)

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