At the request of the accuser, the judge dismisses the charges against the priest of Mobile

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – An expected courtroom showdown between a Catholic priest and a woman accusing him of sexual misconduct ended in an anticlimactical manner Monday, with a city judge granting the accuser's request to dismiss the charges.

The woman, who was a parishioner at Our Savior Catholic Church in west Mobile, read a statement to Mobile Municipal Judge Bucky Thomas as witnesses gathered for the nonjury trial of Father David Joseph Tokarz.

“I have come a long way in my healing,” the woman said.

The woman said she hoped to resolve the case without a trial before Monday. But Tokarz maintained his innocence. The woman told the judge she had received intensive therapy since the two incidents that gave rise to the criminal allegations and that recovery was her primary goal.

“I'm convinced that litigation is not the best way for me to achieve this,” she said.

Thomas warned the woman that if he accepted her request, she would not be able to change her mind.

“It will be finalized,” he said.

Mobile police arrested Tokarz in April on charges of sexual misconduct and harassment, both misdemeanors. The woman gave a sworn statement saying that Tokarz hugged her on March 2 and that as he released her, he rubbed his hands over her breasts and fondled them.

The second alleged incident occurred on March 6 after a meeting at the rectory, a church building where priests live. The woman claimed he kissed her on the lips without her consent, according to court documents.

Tokarz has denied the allegations. He declined to comment Monday as he left the courtroom, saying only: “The case is closed.”

The priest's attorney, Jeff Deen, added: “I think this is a fair way to end this case.”

Deen declined to comment on the allegations.

“He pleaded not guilty, and that's as eloquent as anything he has to say,” he said outside the courtroom.

Tokarz has been on leave from Ourt Savior Church since his arrest. The Archdiocese of Mobile did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But several parishioners who attended Monday’s ceremony to show their support for Tokarz made clear their desire to see him return.

“I hope so,” Deborah Farmer said. “We miss him terribly. He’s a fantastic priest. He really is.”

Farmer said Tokarz received strong support from the congregation.

“I’m glad it’s over,” she said. “It was traumatic for Father David. He didn’t deserve it, and I’m glad she closed the case on her own.”

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