Texas To Start New Trial Against Fort Worth Priest Over Child Sex Abuse

October 24, 2008 6:42 p.m. EST

Fort Worth, TX (AHN) - An alleged child molestation victim blew the trial against Catholic priest Fr. Thomas Teczar of the Diocese of Fort Worth after the victim also testified as an expert.

A Texas appeals court overturned the child abuse charges against Teczar. He will remain in jail but will get a new trial on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child.

Teczar allegedly abused an 11-year-old boy in Eastland County, about 120 miles west of Dallas, in 1990. Plans are underway to defrock him.

Eastland County district attorney Russ Thomason plans to re-try Teczar soon and will seek a higher bail to keep the priest in prison.

The diocese has settled three lawsuits with six victims of Father Teczar, including two who received over four million dollars in compensation.