A priest in prison for stealing from his former Delray Beach church should be released because he is suicidal and suffering from cancer, his attorney argued in court documents.The Rev. John Skehan, 81, was sentenced March 24 to 14 months in prison for grand theft of more than $100,000.
He stole thousands from the coffers of St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, where he was the pastor until 2003.
Investigators said he stole about $370,000 that he spent on vacations, homes in Florida and Ireland and other personal expenses.
Skehan turned himself in to begin serving his sentence a little more than two weeks ago on May 4, according to state records.
Attorney James Eisenberg wrote that Skehan, who is being housed at the Martin Correctional Institution in Indiantown, has been diagnosed with major depression, hypertension and insomnia and has been described by at least one doctor as being "in danger of hurting himself."
He said Skehan also suffers from diabetes and asthma and found out April 28 that he has prostate cancer.
Eisenberg argued that treating Skehan's depression and cancer requires intense care that cannot be given inside a prison.
He wrote that prosecutors object to releasing Skehan, but the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach has no objections.
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