Despite plea deal, Kansas would
continue ex-priest's confinement
Associated Press
NEWTON, Kan. - When he admitted
five years ago that he had molested altar boys in the 1980s, a
former Catholic priest did so under an agreement that the state
would not seek to keep him confined after he did his time in
prison.
But now that 76-year-old Robert Larson
is nearing release, Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline is moving
ahead with an effort to keep him in state custody as a sexual predator
after all.
Kline filed a petition Thursday in
Harvey County District Court, asking that Larson be designated a
sexual predator, which would enable the state to send him to Larned
State Hospital for continued treatment and keep him there
indefinitely.
Matt Treaster, who was the Harvey
County prosecutor at the time, signed the plea agreement stating that
Kansas would not seek Larson's continued confinement under the Violent
Predator Act. But Kline maintains the power to make such agreements
rests only with his office.
Larson had been scheduled for release
from the Lansing state prison on March 29. But Kline arranged with the
former priest's lawyer, Dan Monnat,
to have him remain in state custody until the sexual predator petition
is decided.
To keep Larson in indefinite custody,
the state must prove not only that the plea agreement was invalid but
also that Larson is not stable enough to return to society and needs
further treatment.
Kline said he has evidence indicating
Larson is likely to offend again.
Kline said similar cases have taken
about 60 days, and Monnat said he expects the matter to be resolved
quickly.
"After all, 76-year-old Robert Larson
has not committed an offense in at least 18 years, has been through
extensive treatment at a renowned treatment facility and has been a
model prisoner for five years," Monnat
said.
The offenses for which Larson was
convicted took place while he was pastor at St. Mary's Catholic Church
in Newton and involved three altar boys and a 19-year-old man. His
bishop removed him from the parish in 1988 after several allegations
of sexual abuse, and he was sent for treatment at an institution in
Maryland.
Larson, eventually stripped of
the title and responsibilities of a priest, was retired and living in
Willoughby, Ohio, when the charges were brought against him. He
pleaded guilty to one felony count of indecent liberties with a child
and three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.
Information from: The Wichita
Eagle, http://www.kansas.com
