Watch CBS News

Man Pleads Guilty To Destroying Monument To Clergy Sex Abuse Victims

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New Jersey man admitted Wednesday to using a sledgehammer to smash a monument of victims of clergy sexual abuse in Morristown.

Morris County authorities said Gordon Ellis, 39, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a downgraded charge of criminal mischief as a disorderly person offense. The Mendham man will not have to serve a jail term, but must pay $7,500 in restitution and will be put on probation when he's sentenced Feb. 7.

Ellis, who authorities said has a history of psychiatric problems, destroyed the 400-pound millstone memorial outside St. Joseph Church in Mendham in November 2011. Authorities said the reasons behind the vandalism will be disclosed at the sentencing hearing.

The monument was replaced but was then vandalized again in March 2013 and replaced again. No arrests have been made in the second incident.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.