No charges to be filed in priest abuse allegations

Tuesday, September 17th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa County district attorney Tim Harris announced Tuesday afternoon he would not prosecute anyone in connection with a Tulsa Police investigation in allegations of sexual abuse by area Catholic priests.

Harris says he believes the statute of limitations prevents him from filing criminal charges.

The allegations focused on events in the mid 1990s. And under Oklahoma law at that time, sexual abuse cases against children had to be prosecuted within five years.

Harris is unable to comment about specific priests. Tulsa Police were investigating two area priests for alleged incidents in the late 1970s and mid-90s.

Harris says police conducted a professional and thorough investigation.