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Tuesday, February 10, 2004

A Catholic priest accused of leaving the scene of a crime took the stand in his own defense on Monday.

Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien of Phoenix, Arizona, contradicted earlier statements he made to police about the hit and run accident that left Jim Reed, a Navajo man, dead. He testified that he immediately noticed his windshield was shattered, but earlier told police he didn't see it till he drove a block or two.

He also told police he didn't look at his windshield when he got home. Yesterday, he said he most certainly did.

Finally, he testified that he didn't contact police, ever after being told he may have been involved in the accident, because he didn't know which officers to call. Earlier, he said he didn't know how to contact police.

Reed, 43, was a large man who died after being struck by a car last June. A witness said he was intoxicated.

Get the Story:
O'Brien takes the stand, contradicts statements (The Arizona Republic 2/10)

Relevant Links:
Arizona's priest scandal - http://www.azcentral.com/specials/priest

Related Stories:
Priest attends jury selection in hit and run trial (01/13)
Ariz. priest going on trial in Navajo man's death (1/12)
Catholic bishop pleads not guilty in hit and run case (07/08)
Navajo man, victim of hit and run, buried (06/23)
Woman: Hit and run victim appeared intoxicated (6/20)
Ariz. bishop caught in hit and run case resigns (6/19)
Bishop's alcohol use at issue in hit and run death (6/18)
Ariz. bishop arrested for hit and run death (6/17)

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