NEW ORLEANS — A former priest from New Orleans, aged 93, admitted guilt on Tuesday regarding accusations of sexually assaulting a teenage boy in 1975.

Lawrence Hecker, who had left his clerical role in 2002, was slated to go to trial on the same day. According to reports from local media, Hecker appeared somber, his gaze cast downward, as a sheriff’s deputy escorted him into the courtroom of Judge Nandi Campbell in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.

He pleaded guilty to several charges, including aggravated kidnapping, aggravated crime against nature, first-degree rape, and theft, just before jury selection was set to take place. Sentencing for Hecker has been scheduled for December 18, and he could face a life sentence.

The trial faced numerous delays, primarily due to concerns regarding Hecker’s mental competency. Moreover, District Judge Ben Willard had to recuse himself from the proceedings due to a conflict with the prosecutor’s office, leading to the case being reassigned to Judge Campbell. She mandated that Hecker undergo standard physical and psychological assessments prior to the trial.

A medical professional confirmed that Hecker suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia; however, he was deemed competent to stand trial, as stated by his attorney, Bobby Hjortsberg.

Hecker was indicted by a grand jury the previous year after confessing to the molestation of several minors during his time with the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Nevertheless, the current charges relate specifically to one incident that took place between 1975 and 1976, according to prosecutors.

This indictment is part of a lengthy legal struggle surrounding a large collection of confidential church records, which were protected by a comprehensive confidentiality order after the archdiocese sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 due to a surge of abuse claims. These records reportedly include years of allegations, interviews with accused clergy members, and a pattern where church leaders relocated problematic priests without informing law enforcement of their offenses.

The individual who has accused Hecker in this criminal case has also submitted abuse claims against the archdiocese as part of its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. Fewer than 600 individuals have come forward with similar abuse claims against the archdiocese thus far.

An attempt to contact the archdiocese for a statement regarding Hecker’s plea went unanswered on Tuesday.