Deacon to stand trial
Nov. 18 for sex charges

Maui Circuit Judge Shackley Raffetto has scheduled Nov. 18 as the trial date for Catholic deacon James Ronald Gonsalves, who faces 62 criminal charges, including 30 first-degree sexual assaults of a male minor.

James Gonsalves: He is given permission to visit his hospitalized mother

The judge also granted a defense motion yesterday to allow Gonsalves to visit his mother at Maui Memorial Medical Center with an escort from his attorney's office.

Deputy Prosecutor Robert Rivera said he did not know the reason for Gonsalves mother's hospitalization and had just learned about the request yesterday.

Gonsalves, 68, was released Monday, after posting $100,000 under provisions that kept him confined to his home in Wailuku, except when visiting his attorney's office.

The grand jury's indictment against Gonsalves detailing the charges has been sealed to take out the name of the minor, according to Maui Circuit Judge Joel August.

The release of a revised indictment was delayed until Gonsalves' attorney Philip Lowenthal had an opportunity to review it.

Gonsalves, who appeared in court yesterday wearing slacks and a maroon aloha shirt, served as a full-time paid deacon for about six years at St. Ann Church in Waihee before he was put on leave on June 22, pending the outcome of the allegations.