Linda Harris
STEUBENVILLE A Franciscan friar under indictment for the alleged rape of a woman he counseled nearly a decade ago pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Ohio’s Jefferson County Common Pleas Court.
The Rev. David R. Morrier indicted April 7 on charges of rape and two counts of sexual battery of a student at Franciscan University of Steubenville made his initial appearance in front of Judge Joseph Bruzzeze.
Because he appeared voluntarily, Prosecutor Jane Hanlin said Morrier, 59, was entitled to be released on his own recognizance.
The indictment alleged Morrier, ordained into the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance in 1997, used his position as the woman’s counselor to make her believe that engaging in sexual activity with him would help with her mental health issues.