WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- A priest pleaded guilty in Prince William General District Court Wednesday to assaulting another priest during an argument.
The Rev. Charles C. Smith, 45, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery.
The charge was reduced from unlawful wounding, a felony.
Smith, who was an associate pastor at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Woodbridge, was charged with injuring the Rev. Paul Eversole, the church’s pastor on Nov. 22.
Smith assaulted Eversole during a dispute over office-related matters, an Arlington Diocese spokeswoman said at the time.
Eversole was treated at a local hospital for a cut over his eyes.
Wednesday, Smith was sentenced to 12 months in jail, with all jail time suspended and three years of probation.
A judge also ordered that Smith have no contact with Eversole until Smith completes an anger management class.
After that, he can have contact with Eversole only in public places for work-related reasons.
Smith is no longer at Our Lady of Angels, but is still a priest in the Arlington Diocese, attorneys said.
Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement