By AP/KWMU
Clayton, MO – Prosecutors say there will be a second trial for a St. Louis area Catholic priest who's accused of molesting a teenaged boy eight years ago.
The trial of Rev. Bryan Kucher ended in a mistrial in Clayton Thursday after jurors told the judge they were hopelessly deadlocked.
The 37-year-old priest faced six counts of statutory sodomy involving a 14-year-old boy in 1995. He faced up to 42 years in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors say the abuse occurred when Kuchar was associate pastor at Assumption Catholic Church in St. Louis County. Presented at trial was Kuchar's 20-minute audiotaped confession to police in which he admitted having sex with the teen. In testimony, Kuchar said the confession was coerced. He now denies any wrongdoing.