for Bigtrial.netFor Father Charles Engelhardt, the ordeal is finally over.
The 67-year-old priest died at 8:30 p.m. Saturday night at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa., according to Father James J. Greenfield, provincial of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, Father Engelhardt's religious order.
"A beautiful and holy man" was how his lawyer, Michael J. McGovern, described him. He was "a true martyr," McGovern said.
At the time of his death, Father Engelhardt was an inmate at the State Correctional Institution in Coal Township, Northumberland County, where he had served nearly two years of a 6-to-12 year-sentence. The priest was convicted on Jan. 30, 2013 of endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of a minor and indecent assault. His accuser, however, was "Billy Doe," the former altar boy turned heroin addict who had all kinds of credibility issues.
To Father Engelhardt's family and lawyer, the priest was an innocent man falsely accused and wrongly convicted in a case overflowing with reasonable doubt. When the priest died at the hospital, no family member was present.
Father Greenfield saw Father Engelhardt the day before he died. Despite being handcuffed to a hospital bed and under guard by two armed correctional officers, "Charlie" appeared to be in good spirits, Father Greenfield said.
In a Nov. 8th letter to Father Greenfield, Father Engelhardt wrote that he "started to get very dizzy" on the morning of Nov. 4th. His cellmate "thought I was going to fall and tried to get me to sit down," the priest wrote, but all he could do was lean against a wall.
He was taken to the hospital, where doctors "began the procedure to open an artery through my right wrist," Engelhardt wrote. "I was awake the whole time."
Further tests determined that there were "other arteries on the other side of the heart that were greatly clogged and needed to be dealt with," the priest wrote his superior. Doctors told Engelhardt another procedure should be done immediately, the priest wrote. But the doctors told Engelhardt they wanted to give him time to recover from the first procedure before they performed a second.
"All week every doctor and nurse who examined me asked if I had any pains especially in the chest," the priest wrote. "My reply was always: I have never had any chest pains or a pain in my stomach. This started with feeling dizzy on Tuesday."
"I had a visit from my great-niece at the hospital on Thursday since she lives the closest to the hospital and I was able to telephone one of my sisters last night," the priest wrote. "I hope to call my other sister sometime today."
"My best to all, Charlie Engelhardt."
Then, on Nov. 13th, the priest was taken by ambulance from the prison back to the hospital.
"His left hand was handcuffed to the bed," Father Greenfield said. "And his right leg" was tethered to the bed by a restraint. Two armed correctional officers were in the room eating their lunch and watching TV.
"Charlie was very gracious with them," Father Greenfield said. "I think he realized it was their job. It was nothing personal."
"We had a good visit," Father Greenfield said. "He didn't look near death. His spirits were good."
Father Engelhardt told Father Greenfield about a recent visit from McGovern, his lawyer. Two weeks before Father Engelhardt got sick, McGovern had been in state Superior Court, arguing that his client deserved a new trial because of judicial errors and prosecutorial misconduct.
McGovern was optimistic about his chances on the appeal. His visit lifted Father Engelhardt's spirits, Father Greenfield said.
Another lost cause.
Father Greenfield anointed his fellow priest with consecrated oil and administered the sacrament of the sick. Then Father Greenfield gave Father Engelhardt his blessing.
As Father Greenfield was leaving, Father Engelhardt told him, "Thank you so much for making the trip."
"I had no clue that would be the last time I would speak to him," Father Greenfield said. "My question is why and how did this happen."
Father Engelhardt spent his days in prison reciting prayers, psalms and hymns from the Liturgy of the Hours. The priest's family and fellow oblates said they never heard Father Engelhardt complain about his plight or speak ill of his accuser. But during his legal ordeal, which began on Jan. 30 2009 when he was removed from active ministry hours after his accuser came forward, Father Engelhardt lost some 50 pounds.
The priest's 68th birthday would have this Wednesday. Although he died at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday night, prison officials did not notify Father Engelhardt's family of his death until 11:15 a.m. Monday.
A viewing is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday Nov. 21st at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Ninth and DuPont Streets, Wilmington, Delaware. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church. Interment will follow at Oblate Cemetery in Childs, MD.
Condolences may be sent to Father Engelhardt's sisters, Mrs. Elaine Boyle and Mrs. Kathleen Stever, 13027 Stevens Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19116.
Father Engelhardt may be gone but Billy Doe's accusations live on in court.
Tomorrow, lawyers for Msgr. William J. Lynn, another priest accused by Billy Doe, are scheduled to appear in state Supreme Court and argue that their client deserves to be a free man.
Lynn was convicted by a jury on June 22, 2012 of endangering the welfare of a child, Billy Doe, but on Dec. 26, 2013 that conviction was overturned by he state Superior Court. The reversal of Lynn's 3-6-year prison sentence was appealed by Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, and the state Supreme Court agreed to review the case.
Lynn has been on house arrest since he was freed nearly a year ago by the state Superior Court. Oral arguments before the state Supreme Court are scheduled to be held tomorrow after 9 a.m. in Harrisburg.
I don't know how Williams, Ceisler, and the rest can live with themselves.
ReplyDeleteAn innocent man died in prison
It would seem that Billy Doe has caused the death of this fine priest. The stress which the false accusation placed on this priest was obviously unbearable. May he rest in the peace of Christ whom he served so well. May the patron of his congregation, the gentle St. Francis de Sales, welcome him to the Savior's Kingdom. May God reward his unjustly accused servant. Rest in peace, Fr. Englehardt!
ReplyDelete
DeleteAt least. Father was lucky he was a member of a religious community because if he had been a diocesan priest, it is probable that the bishop would have sent his case to Rome to have him laicized. The Oblates should begin to put forward his case for beatification.
My prayers with Father Engelhardt and his family and all who knew him and knew his innocence.
ReplyDeleteFather Engelhardt died as an innocent martyr.
ReplyDeleteHell yawns for Billy Doe, his lawyer, Ceisler and the DA.
Now maybe one of the DA's investigators will come forward with the truth.
Right now, what is needed is an immediate pardon from Governor Corbett as Fr. Englehardt was an innocent man who died in prison. When Jesus was crucified and died on the cross, the skies quaked and one of the Roman centurions remarked "such an innocent man".
ReplyDeleteSteely blue eyes will be fixated on Seth Williams, Ceisler, Sarmina and of course, Billy Doe.
Corbett can't give an "immediate" pardon. Before a Pennsylvania governor can issue a pardon, he needs an affirmative recommendation from the Board of Pardons. Pennsylvania law is strongly tilted against giving pardons to anyone.
DeleteAppears to be the priest will be part of a posthumous appeal that will include the teacher who was convicted with him. Should the request for a trial be successful or Superior Court vacates the guilty verdict for cause, the teacher will be released and the reputation of the priest will be cleared legally for all time which would be the same as a pardon issued by the governor. Lawsuits will be filed by the estates of the deceased priest and the living teacher to recoup attorney fees expended and to cover damages done to their good name by DA Seth Williams and his minions. Very likely, civil damages by Billy Doe will be vacated on this case as well as on the Lynn case if the State Supreme Court vacates the guilty verdict and upholds the verdict of Superior Court. No amount of money will ever be enough to restore the good name of innocent people put in jail by an overzealous DA aided by two willing Judges - Sarmina and Ceisler.
DeleteIt is unfortunate that Fr. Engelhardt died suddenly at a young age. However, he died in custody for a crime or crimes for which he was convicted by a jury of his peers. To his victim or victims: do not allow the sudden death of this priest in any way detract from your courage, perseverance, and steadfastness. Hold your head(s) high and know you have the support of other survivors.
ReplyDeleteRobert M. Hoatson, Ph.D.
Road to Recovery, Inc.
Livingston, NJ 07039
862-368-2800
Another ignorant comment from a person who only has received their information and facts on the case from the local media and inquirer
DeleteDanny Gallagher is not a survivor of clergy abuse. His stories and false accusations will be brought out in the appeal process and civil trial to clear Fr. Engelhardt's name and the release of Mr. Shero.
Delete@Hoatson - Shame on you (Father) Hoatson - Shame! You - as a fellow priest - should know better. Are you leading the Road to Recovery or the Road to Perdition?
DeleteThe only victim in Father Engelhardt's case is the truth.
You attack this man because you believe as a fellow priest he should be defending a convicted child abuser and he is not.
DeleteI applaud his words and thank him for being a human being first and a priest second.
Anonymous, No - I didn't criticize Hoatson because the was condemning a fellow priest. I made that statement because he is apparently very ill informed. He apparently didn't take the time to read Ralph's work. Have you?
DeleteIf thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
ReplyDelete"A true martyr" Really ?
ReplyDeleteConvicted child abuser !
Show your true identity. Why hide behind anonymous if you are going to make a statement such as this.
DeleteHe WAS convicted of child abuse. That is a true statement. Whatever anyone else's opinion is, negative or positive, that is a fact. I don't see why someone would or could argue that.
ReplyDeleteA different Anonymous
and Danny Gallagher is a lying drug addict, drug dealing thief aided and abetted by Seth Williams and everyone else connected to this shameful trial. YOU SNAP scumbags who know nothing about this case other than what you read in the Inquirer, a rag that couldn't decipher the truth if it was staring them in the face. A wrongful conviction does not equate to guilt and this man was not guilty of the crimes he was accused of
DeleteConvicted by a corrupt jury of his peers = yes
ReplyDeleteAccepted the false accusations and imprisonment = truth
We expect that the Superior Court will be ruling - hopefully favorably - on the Shero / Engelhardt matter perhaps as soon as Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAssuming Father Engelhardt's conviction is expunged and Bernie Shero is granted a new trial because of Ceisler's miscues and the alleged Cippoletti misconduct, it's entirely possible that Ceisler's delay in providing the trial records and her opinion to the Superior Court could have contributed to Father Engelhardt's untimely death inasmuch he was apparently unable to receive the proper 'outside' medical treatment until it was too late.
Don't forget that Sarmina was almost 6 months late with Monsignor Lynn's records and had to be 'compelled' by the court to do HER job.
I would hope that Father Engelhardt's family would secure and have an expert scrutinize his medical records, diagnostic tests and treatment regimen while he was incarcerated.
Yet Another 'Anonymous'
Were Shero to be released, Ceisler could order him to serve balance of time in house arrest with ankle monitor affixed to him if DA chooses to appeal to State Supreme Court. What is needed is for Superior Court to order Ceisler not to put Shero on house arrest and to grant him his freedom until the Supreme Court finally decides what to do with the frivolous appeal filed by DA Seth Williams. That is what Superior Court should have done in the Lynn case when Sarmina ordered Lynn to serve time house arrest.
Delete@James - we should write to the President Judge, bitterly complaining of the treatment that Sarmina and Ceisler gave to Monsignor Lynn and Father Engelhardt / Bernie Shero, starting with how they delayed sending their trial records and opinions to the Superior Court. All this information is on-line in the PA Unified Judicial System.
DeletePerhaps some form of 'pay for performance' plan should be applied to the judges. Where's the oversight and what penalties are applied for failures???
It would appear that the necessary 'checks and balances' in the judicial system are either missing or - if present - have been ignored in Philadelphia.
Now, if we had an honest, forthright and unbiased newspaper in this town instead of the emasculated 'Inky', I'd bet a dollar to a doughnut that neither the DA's office nor the local judiciary would dare to pull this outrageous stuff.
But we don't - - - and they do.
To be a judge is considered a very high honor among the hundreds who have completed law school, passed the bar exam, started careers in law firms and climbed the upward ladder to partnership and economic success in the business. One as a judge gets to think in a different perspective than a lawyer or a prosecutor. And that adds to one's knowledge of law as seen from differing vantage points as a judge, lawyer or prosecutor. What Ceisler and Sarmina did was a complete disgrace to all those who serve proudly as lawyers, prosecutors and judges. Those two women are unfit to sit on the bench and to hold a license to practice law.
DeleteMay he burn in hell....
ReplyDeletejust another asshole who knows nothing of the facts of the case
DeleteYes Danny Gallagher should burn in hell along with his parents, James and Sheila Gallagher. He'll is too good for Seth Williams
DeleteAwww... poor convicted pedophile priest dies while serving his sentence. What a "true martyr." Better put him on the fast track to sainthood. He is now with that other great "martyr," Fr. Maciel...
ReplyDeleteDo you feel better about yourself now?
DeleteWhy do you all assume that we know nothing about the case? How do you know that we weren't there in court, or were interviewed by the Investigators, or know something that happened pertaining to events before the case? Please don't pass judgment on us if you don't know what we may know. Also please don't assume that I am not very sorry about Fr. Engelhardt's death. I am very surprised that it ended this way, and my heart goes out to his mother.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 9:10am
DeleteI make that assumption because any idiot who knows about this trial knows:
A: Dan Gallagher was a liar who has accused over 10 people of sexual abuse, yet jumped on the priest bandwagon and accused three people from the same parish 12 years after it happened.
B: It is impossible for Dan Gallagher to be the only 6th grader to ever, in the history of St Jerome's Parish, to serve as a bell choir maintenance crew, when 8th graders were the only kids who were in this crew. (He LIED about that in court, that's a fact).
C: How was Dan Gallagher on heroin when he met with the two social workers from the Archdiocese? In court he said his dad picked him up from REHAB, brought him home, and they were both in the house together until the two women showed up. When and where did he do heroin? His dad was a cop at the time, did he just allow him to shoot up in the house? If he cooked his heroin, wasn't there a burning drug odor that a cop would maybe smell? In his own house???? Why did his dad not realize his son was high as a kite, when the lady was knocking at the door and calling the house phone, since Dan and his proud poppa were arguing about whether to allow them in the house.
It's all a pack of lies. Your assumptions are bullshit. Look at the facts on this blog. If you were in court, take the blinders off. Listen to this kid and his parents just lie and lie and lie.
If you were at this case, then I hope you can live with yourself. I imagine you are convincing yourself that Dan Gallagher and family did no wrong, but eventually you will sit back and realize that they were liars and the major factor in an innocent man's death.
DeleteI can assume you don't know what you are talking about because the false facts you are referring from came from another liar, loser and drug abuser who has never been able to hold down a job despite all his degrees. He is also just looking for easy money he never earned, trying to cover up his own fathers abuse and neglect. One or more drug a users and two alcoholis in one family. Not a very reliable source. He should have died all those years ago in that car accident. His chances were not good but a remarkable priest named father engelhardt sat at his bedside holding both your mothers and grandmothers hands and prayed for him day after day. Your grandmother is turning over in her grave with disappointment and shame in all of you.
Delete1 appearance, 5 minutes long in that courtrooom of one lifelong cocaine addict and alcoholic who destroyed his teaching career & his marriage many years ago kind of sums up your family's shameful participation in this travesty.....now you can include the death of an innocent priest as a permanent part of your family's legacy.....
Deletekeep your thoughts about his mother to yourself, she doesn't need any sympathy from you or any member of your family......you don't exist.....
Deleteno one is tempting you.....
DeleteYes, I can live with myself for making that statement, and I have my reasons, so don't assume that I have had blinders on the whole time. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see that you replied and read the above posts. At least I know you were bothered enough to write back. Eventually you will come out of this denial and realize you supported a group of liars looking for free $. By the way, no reason to say thank you, I do not believe anyone provided you anything worthy of thanking.
DeleteInteresting to know that the good judge Sarmina asked to be transferred from criminal court to civil court! Ceisler has not made any such request to date, but that could be sooner than later. Thing to consider is if we have a lack of confidence in both Sarmina and Ceisler, then why is Sarmina in civil court and Ceisler still on the bench given their conduct at trials for Lynn, Englehardt and Shero. Both can do serious damage to people if they serve on civil or criminal court. Both should be told to resign from the bench as nobody has any confidence in their ability to rule from the bench. And both should surrender their licenses to practice law.
ReplyDeleteJames - IMHO, these judges are afforded way too much autonomy, with apparently little supervisory oversight. They also enjoy virtual civil and financial impunity if they screw up. So, what do they have to lose??
DeleteOne could argue that the higher courts serve to 'rectify' problems in the subordinate courts. But how does one recover from the loss of time, treasure, reputation, self worth and freedom or even their own life after their convictions have been overturned??
The appellants still have to pay their lawyers while incarcerated, the prosecutors are paid by the taxpayers as are the judges. Looks all the 'officers of the court' get paid while the appeals drag on.
In the meantime, those confined behind bars are financially hemorrhaging, as are their families.
If judges are caught red handed doing something really outrageous, they can always resign, collect their pensions, remain active as lawyers and find rewarding work elsewhere.
So, they can do just about what they want without the fear of any serious, long term repercussions.
"So, they can do just about what they want without the fear of any serious, long term repercussions." Hmm....what other group was able to get away with that for a long, long time?
ReplyDelete@anonymous - if you are referring to the church, I must admit that you're at least partially correct. However, in this case we have two individuals - collateral damage if you would - who were falsely convicted and unjustly imprisoned, one of whom has just died behind bars. It's time for the Attorney General's office to start investigating the modus operndi of the Philadelphia DA's office and quite possibly the judiciary.
DeleteThe very same Attorney General Kathleen Kane? Only a snowball chance in hell would she do such a thing.
DeleteSETH dont tell the truth Williams and Billy Doe and the rest of Seth Williams Merry Misfits in the DA.s office will be paying the piper soon for there misconduct and abuse of there powers. And the pope will be here next September dont think they.re not watching this closely what a tangled web we weave when we lie and deceive.
ReplyDeleteBy the time the Pope arrives, the whole situation will be resolved with Lynn released from house arrest as early as this month or in December, Shero and Englehardt's appeal resolved in their favor posthumously for Englehardt and freedom for Shero. Civil cases will go pfft on their own.
DeleteTime for the common wealth to step to the plate now and perform there duties instead of sitting on the sidelines hopeing this goes away News flash Boys and girls its not going away!!!
ReplyDeleteHere is a man who thought God and the System would take care of him, dies in jail, instead some junkie kid whose Daddy was a cop and pressed the DA to prosecute and persecute a GOOD PERSON so not to disgrace Daddy's name, while this punk lives the HIGH-LIFE in Florida. This punk told the DA 3 different stories on the stand and his own brother discredits his stories.... But by all means, lets put a Role Model, let alone a Priest in jail based on this losers testimony... I hope Gallagher dies a slow horrible death for the wrongs he did to this man.
ReplyDeleteONLY GOD KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED... BUT ALOT OF THEM TOOK ADVANTAGE OF YOUNG BOYS...... IF TRUE MAY HE BURN IN HELL.......
ReplyDeleteYour anger at a problem which ceased decades ago in this country would be more properly directed at false accusers who destroy the lives of innocent priests. My comment should not be interpreted as a denial of the sad reality of the sexual abuse of minors by clergy because I know victims of such dispicable behavior. However, I recognize that what was a problem in the clerical ranks is no longer the case and has not been for many years. If child safety is truly the issue then let the authorities persecute said offenders in families and among the ranks of any profession and discontinue this vendetta against the Catholic Church and her clergy. Additionally, the biased reporting of the Inky was evident again today in their article on the death of Fr. Englehardt. Lack of journalistic integrity was on full display today in the pages of the Inky.
DeleteHas anyone answered Father Greenfield's question? Why and how did this happen? The doctors have to say what happened. Was it a heart attack? Was he given proper medical care? They have to provide the same care to an inmate as they would to anyone else. They can't just say he died. He was in their care. Was there negligence? What happened? Very sorry to hear this today.
ReplyDeleteKudos to Fr Greenfield for staying with Fr Englehardt to the end. Too many people who Charlie helped over the years stood by on the sidelines. We should make sure that Fr Greenfield's question does get answered.
DeleteAnd the Inquirer continues to show in its poor coverage why newspapers are dying
Hey were talking the inquire here and that creep in charge. Did they ever find out what caused that Air plane crash
ReplyDeleteYet hmmm.
Prayers to Father Engelhardt's family; I hope justice is served!
ReplyDelete"Billy Doe" has some serious issues, hope he gets the help he clearly needs.
I remain concerned about this. Why did he die? Did he suddenly have a heart attack? With no word from the doctors, it sounds like there was negligence in his healthcare as an inmate. Why is everyone writing off his death so easily? Has Fr. Greenfield gotten any answers? This whole thing sounds so hush-hush. And yet it is shocking when a man dies in custody. Is there a chaplain at the prison who's looking into this? What happened?
ReplyDelete@SarahTX2 - I believe that Father Engelhardt's family will be researching this more fully after his funeral.
DeleteThey shouldn't have to research anything. Doctors have to declare a cause of death unless there's suspicious circumstances. It's not fair to the deceased or the family to have this air of mystery when a funeral is being planned. Someone needs to go to that hospital and find out what happened. The prison chaplain has the channels to get answers. I'm perplexed by the lack of interest by people on this website. Totally don't get it.
Delete@SarahTX2 - Nobody ever dies from a heart attack......really???? I sympathize as losing an incarcerated family member must be excruciating, but that doesn't mean wrong doing. Prisons have policies in place for the safety of the officers, the other patients in outside facilities, and yes prisoners have HIPPA rights too. Look at the letter in Dr E 's own hand he received same day surgery in addition to being sent to an outside facility. He also died at the area's level 1 trauma center with its brand new hospital for advanced cardiac Medicine. He even states himself he had no typical heart attack warning signs.....chest pain, shortness of breath, etc....yet he was still recognized as having a significant event and sent for outside care. Additionally he states the prison continued to monitor him in their infirmary even after his initial discharge from the hospital. I work in healthcare and this mentality is why healthcare is so expensive, sometimes despite everything we try to do people die, God calls them home. Reading these posts I can't help but think maybe God needed to ease Fr E suffering.
DeleteAnd I am relieved for the relief of Fr. Engelhardt's suffering. Very much so. But he was under an appeal which had good prospects. For my part, I believe that he did not have good counsel during his trial. I feel for Fr. Engelhardt's family now. Such a cloud.
DeleteSarah - You've done nothing but attack this man and in your eyes found him guilty until proven innocent from the start. Now you wish to extend condolences and want answers. This information is privileged and i am guessing will be kept confidential until the appropriate people have had time to review.
Deleteanonymous 8:22PM you make a number of assumptions without any basis to back it up.....HIPPA guidelines and rights? that's your reasoning for stating he received the proper level of care he was entitled to as a human being......you must be joking
DeleteI trust that a complete investigation will bring meaningful answers as to why this innocent man died while in the custody of Coal Township prison..
So many unanswered questions. I wonder if they will ever be answered? Justice seems to have taken back seat and in its place not a quest for the truth but a game of egos and politics played with a winner takes all mentality.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace, Charlie, and thank you for your service. You are a true son of Francis de Sales. Those of us who knew and worked with you never doubted your innocence and will always honor your memory. Vive Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI think there is much to investigate as to the very obvious criminal handling of Fr Engelhardt's coronary health situation in recent weeks while in the custody of the Pennsylvania state prison system. to them, he was just another number...
ReplyDeleteEqually important is the obvious need for an investigation of this shameful prosecution that has now claimed an innocent victim, long before his time.
those of us that know this kind man and his family know firsthand that they are totally devastated and outraged that this man's sudden death occurred at the hands of the criminal justice system. Anonymous 7:26AM perfectly sums up this priest's memory to the tens of thousands of people who were fortunate enough to have crossed your path during your humble 48 year career in the priesthood.
A reminder of those responsible:
ReplyDeleteJudges: Renée Cardwell Hughes, Sarmina and Ceisler.
DA office: Mark Cipoletti, Seth Williams, Mariana Sorensen; ADA Pat Blessington, ADA Evangelina Manos.
False accuser: Daniel P Gallagher, aided and abeted by: officer James Gallagher Sr., Sheila Gallagher and James Gallagher Jr. (brother), Leo Omar Hernandez.
Detectives Walsh and Jimmy Dougherty.