New Orleans priest accused of child abuse competent to proceed with trial

Lawrence Hecker, 93, self-admitted serial child molester, grapples with Alzheimer's dementia and had trial delayed

With less than a month to go before his latest scheduled trial date, a self-admitted serial child molester and retired Roman Catholic priest from New Orleans remains competent to proceed with his oft-delayed rape and kidnapping case - albeit marginally as the 93-year-old grapples with Alzheimer's dementia, according to his most recent medical evaluation.

A pair of doctors who evaluated Lawrence Hecker on 6 November made it a point to note that his illness is a chronic and progressive disease", suggesting additional delays beyond several already seen in the case create a risk that the clergyman declines into a state of legal incompetence preventing him from ever standing trial given his advanced age.