New Orleans DA provides new details linked to retired priest accused of rape [Video]

WDSU Investigates spoke exclusively with New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams Thursday after a stunning twist in the case of a retired priest accused of rape. On the day of the trial, Judge Ben Willard abruptly recused himself.“Lawrence Hecker will be in section G next week. He will appear before Judge Nandi Campbell and on that date, we will be selecting our trial date,” Williams said. “That is my hope. She has not been afraid of trying cases as a lawyer or as a judge. So I don’t expect, that there’s going to be any long delay in getting the case to trial.”In court, Willard told First Assistant District Attorney Ned McGowan that he would not be disrespected. McGowan described Willard as vindictive. New court records state Willard’s reason is “negative activity of the state.”“Look, Ned McGowan, did everything he could to try to get the case to trial and …