The shocking true story of a killer priest.In 1980 in Toledo, Ohio -- on one of the holiest days of the church calendar -- the body of a nun was discovered in the sacristy of a hospital chapel. Seventy-one-year-old Sister Margaret Ann had been strangled and stabbed, her corpse arranged in a shameful and stomach-churning pose. But the police's most likely suspect was inexplicably released and the investigation was quietly buried. Despite damning evidence, Father Gerald Robinson went free.
Twenty-three years later the priest's name resurfaced in connection with a bizarre case of satanic ritual and abuse. It prompted investigators to exhume the remains of the slain nun in search of the proof left behind that would indelibly mark Father Robinson as Sister Margaret Ann's killer: the sign of the Devil.
When Satan Wore a Cross is a shocking true story of official cover-ups, madness, murder and lies -- and of an unholy human monster who disguised himself in holy garb.
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True crimes sometimes seems just like a real mystery novel, keeping you on the edge of your seat. This story is incredible and seems all too fictional except that it is all true and documented.
Today we know that priests aren't exceptional. That they aren't always what they seem to be that they are what they are - man like females are females. More shockingly is that the times where priests were priests, holy, unmarked and of good nature aren't too far away. The author catches this issue due to going through some real Hollywood movies hits where the priest is shown as the good one, solving crimes and being the helping hand etc. . I thought it was a great thing to do so and explain why the nature of a priest as being a good human has been deeply positioned in the American consciousness.
In April 1980, 71 year old sister Margaret Ann is found strangled and stabbed in the sacristy of the hospital chapel. Until the Crime Scene unit arrived the scene had been compromised by more than a few persons.
From the beginning more than one finger points to father Gerald Robinson as the only possible person that would have a grudge of her and therefore kill her.
He's been interrogated, his home has been searched and with this search came the letter opener which in the end will lead to a conviction 24 years later although it comes back clean, too clean without blood evidence from the murder victim.
The author mentions a lie detector test but unfortunately doesn't go deeper into the questions that were asked besides key points such as where he was in the murder timeline which I think would have been a great addition.
The story switched then to Marko Damon, which confused me in the beginning when ritual abuse was mentioned. I couldn't quite figure out what this had to do with Margaret Ann's case. It all comes together when Gerald Robinson is mentioned.
It is then that the case has a revival and the investigations begin to run again and Margaret Ann is exhumed. No DNS was found but the letter is an exact fit to boney defects and Robinson is charged guilty.
I was surprised to learn that Kathleen Reichs, bestseller author, testified for the defense in the trial. She's one of only 50 forensic anthropologists certified by the board of Forensic Anthropology.
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Overall, in the beginning I didn't expect too much but when the case switched to Marlo Damon, it kept me edgy. But I'm still weary of the circumstantial evidence. The jury convited Robinson without knowing of Marlo Damon and one might think that the boney defects might have been caused by the forensic specialist herself, like Kathy Reichs mentioned during the trial. I'm not sure if I could have wholeheartedly said this person is guilty.
Also there was male DNA found under her fingernails and on her underwear but it didn't match Robinson's DNA.
Now that I've read the book and know more about Gerald Robinson, the years after the murder, the ritual abuse etc. I think he is guilty but I can't agree on the DNA having left on the victim after she was murdered.
Rating:
Visit Fred Rosen.
Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Harper (October 30, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061239860
ISBN-13: 978-0061239861
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