Not guilty plea from retired priest in sexual assault case

LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) -- The attorney for a 94-year-old retired priest has entered a not guilty plea on his behalf to a sexual assault charge in La Crosse County Circuit Court.

Monsignor Bernard McGarty did not appear in court Monday for his hearing on fourth-degree sexual assault.

WXOW-TV reports that in the criminal complaint, the alleged victim told investigators that McGarty approached her as she sat on a bench outside the main La Crosse library on May 11. She said she told him she was homeless and he handed her $20.

The complaint says that McGarty took her arm and placed it in his lap with clear sexual intentions.

McGarty is currently free on a signature bond.