Paul KeenanSuspect appears before US court
One of two priests savagely attacked during a burglary at their mission in June worked to give the Last Rites to his dying colleague despite his own injuries, a court in Phoenix, Arizona has been told.
As a homeless man was brought before the court on July 17 to face a charge of murder in relation to the death of Fr Kenneth Walker, it was revealed that Fr Joseph Terra, who had himself received a life-threatening beating ministered to his friend having made a desperate call for medical help. Paramedics arriving on the scene of the June 11 attack were convinced that Fr Terra would not survive, such was the extent of wounds he suffered.
Over a month after the incident, Fr Terra arrived in court in a wheelchair and wearing a cast on his arm to face Gary Michael Moran, the man charged implicated in the case.
Investigators have revealed that Moran allegedly bragged about beating a priest after the crime, while a yet-to-be identified woman has told police she was in receipt of a bag from Moran which contained a camera belonging to one of the priests. Further, police have gained forensic evidence from a car stolen during the incident which they claim is a DNA match to Moran.
The suspect has pleaded not guilty to murder and burglary.