The Rev. Robert Whipkey, a Catholic priest accused of walking naked down a Frederick street in June, has pleaded not guilty to indecent exposure. Whipkey, 54, entered the plea Tuesday in Weld County Court.
A motions hearing is scheduled for Jan. 31, and trial is set for March 25 before Weld County Judge Charles Unfug.
Whipkey, the pastor for three Roman Catholic churches — in Frederick, Mead and Erie — was stopped by Frederick police at 4:30 a.m. June 22 for allegedly walking down the street naked. He told police he had been jogging at the Frederick High School track and was walking home.
"I'm a heavy man and wearing clothing while running makes me sweat profusely," Whipkey said, according to a police report. "I know what I did was wrong."
In August, the Archdiocese of Denver announced that it had placed Whipkey on administrative leave.
The same day, a lawyer representing Whipkey said the priest deeply regretted any discomfort and embarrassment that the situation had caused Catholics in the archdiocese, his family or anyone else.
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