A Meade County jury found a former Louisville priest guilty during a sexual abuse case that dates back to the 1970s.
It took jurors about two hours to deliberate and conclude Joseph Hemmerle was guilty on a single charge of indecent or immoral practices with another, child under 15 years old. The jury also found Hemmerle not guilty on a second charge of indecent or immoral practices with another, child under 15 years old.
The verdict came after a half day of testimony from defense attorneys in the two day trial. The jury returned a recommended sentence to the court of 7 years with out the possibilty of parole until after one year. Hemmerle will have to listed as a registered sex offender for twenty years.
Hemmerle remains out on bond until he is formally sentenced on February 9.
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