Agnetz, Dec 28, 2019: Police in France have arrested a teenage boy for allegedly killing a suspected pedophile Catholic priest.
Father Roger Matassoli was found dead with a crucifix rammed down his throat and signs of torture on his corpse in Agnetz, France.
A court on December 27 remanded the 19-year-old suspect in custody on charges of aggravated murder, acts of torture, and for resisting arrest.
The teen identified only as Alexandre is suspected of murdering the alleged sex offender on November 4 by torturing him before asphyxiating him with a crucifix.
He allegedly rammed the cross down the priest’s throat, according to local media,
Alexandre was first arrested on the day of the murder while driving the victim’s car but he was taken to hospital on psychiatric grounds.
He was formally charged on December 27, the prosecution in the town of Senlis has announced.
The suspect was employed by the victim as a housekeeper while his father was allegedly abused by the priest as a child as well.
The dad reportedly said his own father – the alleged murderer’s grandfather – had killed himself upon learning of the abuse.
He also said the alleged abuse had led his own son to attempt suicide, it has been reported.
Police believe that the murder was an act of revenge, according to local media.
The teen suspect has reportedly told cops he cannot remember committing the gruesome murder.
After the priest’s death, Beauvais bishop Jacques Benoit-Gonnin was quoted as saying that Roger Matassoli had been removed from his duties in 2009 after abuse allegations emerged.
It also emerged that the church allegedly kept Matassoli on the payroll until 2018, it has been reported.
The priest was allowed to carry on working due to “ecclesiastical errors” and due to a succession of bishops putting off dealing with the issue, according to reports.
Source: thescottishsun.co.uk