Cardinal Theodore McCarrick Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick pleaded ‘not guilty’ September 3 to several charges of sexual assault, while appearing for the first time in a Massachusetts court.
McCarrick, 91, has been charged with three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14, incidents which allegedly took place in the 1970s. Each of the three criminal charges carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
He appeared for his arraignment September 3 in Dedham District Court, accompanied by his attorney Katherine Zimmerl, of the firm Coburn & Greenbaum. The court entered a “not guilty” plea on his behalf. McCarrick’s next court date is October 28, and his bail was set at $5,000.
“Today’s arraignment provides hope for many clergy sex abuse victims and survivors that justice will prevail, truth will be told and children will be kept safe,” said Mitchell Garabedian, attorney for the alleged victim of McCarrick, after the arraignment.