05/14/2002
By GRETCHEN PARKER

BALTIMORE (AP) - A Roman Catholic priest was shot and seriously wounded by a man who had accused him of abuse nine years ago, authorities said Tuesday.

Dontee Stokes, 26, surrendered Monday night, saying he had shot the Rev. Maurice Blackwell, police spokeswoman Ragina Averella said.

Blackwell was in serious but stable condition Tuesday at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

Blackwell was shot about 6 p.m. Monday outside his home.

Witnesses told police Stokes tried to talk to Blackwell before the shooting, Averella said. Police said Stokes shot the priest with a handgun.

Blackwell is on a leave of absence from the Archdiocese of Baltimore because the church found in 1998 he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor, said Ray Kempisty, a spokesman for the archdiocese.

In that case, the alleged victim told church officials the relationship dated back at least 25 years, Kempisty said. Church officials said Blackwell admitted to the relationship and said it had ended by 1978.

Blackwell was removed in October 1998 from his post at St. Edward Roman Catholic Church in west Baltimore, where he had worked as pastor since 1979.

Averella said Stokes told police he had been molested by Blackwell nine years ago. Kempisty said there had been a 1993 allegation against Blackwell, but he was returned to priestly duties when police dropped the case. It was not immediately clear if that case involved Stokes.

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