Retired Windsor Priest Sentenced To 6 Months House Arrest

March 3, 2013

By: CTV Windsor

Beckett Personal Injury Office's Scales of Justice's article image

A retired Catholic priest has been sentence to six months house arrest after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting two Saskatoon boys in 1959 and 1961.

Father William Hodgson Marshall, who also pleaded guilty to 17 counts of indecent assault against former Windsor, Toronto and Sudbury students, was in the Windsor Superior Court of Justice on Monday.

He received a sentence of six months in the community, to be served at the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre in Toronto.

The Crown was seeking a nine to 12 month sentence.

Marshall, 90, addressed the court.

"I didn't really believe I was hurting the kids," says Marshall. "I certainly didn't think I was a monster."

Defence lawyer Andrew Bradie asked the judge not to re-incarcerate his client, claiming Marshall had already paid a significant price.

"I said to the judge that I think he's slipping mentally," says Bradie. "He certainly has a lot of physical difficulties and he is 90 years old with a history of health problems."

About 70 people staged a public demonstration in front of the Windsor courthouse Monday morning.

"I'm very disappointed," says previous victim Patrick McMahon. "I don't think there was any justice given to the victims who had the courage to come forward from Saskatoon. I can't say I'm surprised."

McMahon says he's already received what justice the courts were willing to give him in the small sentence he received two years ago.

Marshall admitted in June 2011 to sexually abusing 17 young people and sentenced to two years in prison.

In October, Marshall was qualified for statutory release, serving a total of 16 months in jail.

"People need to know that this is not acceptable justice," says McMahon. "It is not a deterrent for these types of crimes and it's certainly not a deterrent for the people who protected him and enabled him to do this for 50 years."

Marshall was a teacher at Windsor's Assumption College and the founding principal of Holy Names high school.

Beckett Personal Injury Office In Downtown London

December 5, 2023

No-Fault Accident Benefits

You may be entitled to receive certain no fault accident benefits if you were injured a car accident, regardless of who is at-fault for the accident. These benefits are in addition to potential sources of compensation you have through private or work sponsored insurance policies.

Read More
Beckett Personal Injury Office In Downtown London

November 29, 2023

Understanding Human Trafficking: Your Rights and How We Can Help

Learn more about the complexities of the human trafficking issue and how best to protect yourself legally.

Read More
Beckett Personal Injury Office In Downtown London

November 14, 2023

Reporting Sexual Abuse: Understanding the Criminal and Civil Processes

In this article, we will provide a clear overview of the criminal and civil processes of sexual abuse cases, and explain why reporting the abuse to the police is often advised before pursuing a civil lawsuit.

Read More