Ex-Pittsburgh priest accused of sexually abusing child has conviction tossed

A judge on Monday tossed out the conviction of a retired Catholic priest for sexually abusing a child training to be an altar boy nearly 20 years ago.

The Rev. Hugh Lang, the former schools superintendent of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, was sentenced Feb. 6 to nearly two years in jail by Allegheny County Judge Anthony Mariani. But on Monday, Mariani agreed with a post-sentencing motion filed by Lang and his defense attorney seeking to overturn the conviction.

Lang, 89, could be retried on some of the charges, but the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office pledged to fight Mariani’s decision.

In November, Judge Mark Tranquilli found Lang guilty during a non-jury trial. But in early February, Tranquilli was relegated to administrative duties over alleged racist remarks in a separate case. Mariani took over the case for the sentencing phase. The sentence’s implementation had been delayed in response to a motion filed by the defense.

On Monday, Mariani agreed with Lang’s defense that Tranquilli erred by allowing evidence that Lang searched the internet for defense attorneys just before the state Attorney General’s Office released a scathing report on abuse within dioceses across the state.

“To use evidence that one looked for an attorney as evidence against him, in a criminal proceeding, is almost as egregious as holding the fact that one asked for an attorney, consulted with an attorney and/or retained attorney, against him,” defense attorney Robert Mielnicki wrote in the post-sentence filing.

Mike Manko, spokesman for the District Attorney, said his office “feels badly for the victim and the victim’s family.”

“We believe today’s decision is contrary to the law, and we will be filing a commonwealth appear to Superior Court,” he said.

Should a retrial take place, prosecutors will not be able to refile the most serious charge: a felony count of unlawful contact with a minor. Both sides agreed last month that the statute of limitations had expired.

Lang also was found guilty in November of corruption of a minor, indecent exposure and indecent assault.

A status hearing is scheduled for March 24.

Lang was charged in January 2019 after a ChildLine report accused him of abusing the alleged victim in 2001.

The man, now an adult and living overseas, said the alleged abuse happened when he was 11 years old. He told police the abuse happened during altar server training, during which Lang pulled him away from the other boys and took him to a room in the basement of St. Therese, according to the criminal complaint.

He told police Lang called him a troublemaker and told him to take off his clothes, according to the complaint. Lang allegedly took a Polaroid photo and told the victim he would show the photo to others if he didn’t behave.

Police said Lang then allegedly molested the child and forced him to perform a sex act.

Lang retired in 2006, and the diocese acknowledged the newfound allegations against him in August 2018, placing him on leave. A diocesan spokesman said at the time it was the first allegation leveled against the clergyman.

The diocese on Monday said Lang would remain on administrative leave until his criminal case is complete.

“The Church recognizes the decision of the court, and will wait until all court proceedings are completed before moving forward in its canonical process. We continue to pray for all involved,” Bishop David Zubik said.