Why was the top prosecutor in New Orleans somewhat disappointed that a 93-year-old former Catholic priest plead guilty to rape, molestation and other charges today?
"Part of me really wanted this jury and the public to hear what Lawrence Hecker did to these boys," New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams said on the courthouse steps.
The D.A. says he also wanted to present evidence and ask witnesses about the church covering up the sexual abuse of children for decades.
"To hear where he went and where he was moved and how he was moved," Williams explained. "That is equally as important as his violent acts and his decisions."
He says investigations are ongoing into alleged cover-ups of molesting priests and allegations that the church moved pedophile priests away after claims against them, freeing them to molest children in other places.
He says the law is clear.
"If an adult finds out or is told by a child that they were hurt, they have to report that information," Williams said. "And it's horrific, it's horrific that they didn't."
The district attorney says he hopes everyone who played a role in enabling decades of abuse and cover-ups faces justice.
"A lot of people did a lot of things, it seems, to protect the bad guys."
Williams says it is not over.
"There's an investigation right now that spans Texas and Louisiana."
He hopes that Hecker will help them.
"He knows who he told what and when."
