Competency uncertain in rape case against 92-year-old former New Orleans priest

Zach Labbé
·1 min read

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) –– Lawrence Hecker, a 92-year-old former priest charged with aggravated rape and kidnapping, appeared in court Wednesday morning for a competency hearing.

Hecker was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair, accompanied by two medical professionals. They had an assortment of medical supplies, a space heater, and courtroom deputies were provided with rubber gloves.

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The last competency hearing on April 18 was continued on a joint motion to give each side time to review the report. According to the report, doctors recommended Hecker be reevaluated two months later. District Attorney Jason Williams argued that enough time had passed and requested Hecker be evaluated immediately. However, Hecker’s defense asserted that the decision should be left to the competency panel.

One of the panel doctors noted that Hecker had been hospitalized for unknown reasons and preferred to wait until his discharge. Williams argued against further delays, referring to the hospitalization as “unrequested.”

Judge Benedict Willard scheduled a hearing for June 16 to allow each side to review Hecker’s medical records, stating that the case would “hopefully move forward from there.”

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