The head of the Archdiocese of Baltimore met for about 90 minutes Thursday afternoon with Dontee Stokes, who's charged with trying to kill the Rev. Maurice Blackwell on May 13, The Washington Post reported Friday. Stokes claims Blackwell sexually abused him as a teen-ager in the early 1990s.

Stokes' mother, Tamara Stokes, told the newspaper that Keeler went to the Randallstown home where Stokes is staying and met for about 90 minutes with her son and Dontee Stokes' attorney, Warren Brown.

Keeler was accompanied by another priest, Tamara Stokes said. "The mood was very quiet and relaxed," Tamara Stokes said. She said that the group talked together before Keeler and her son moved into another room to talk and pray together privately. "It was a healing event. It was very moving," Brown told The (Baltimore) Sun. "The cardinal is a very compassionate and humble man. His concern was genuine and appreciated."

Dontee Stokes is confined to house arrest at the home of his aunt and uncle. He faces attempted first-degree murder charges after he told police he shot Blackwell outside the suspended priest's home in Baltimore. The archdiocese did not return repeated calls from The Associated Press on Thursday.

Tamara Stokes said the cardinal called her last week to apologize for reinstating Blackwell after her son accused him of sexual abuse in 1993. Keeler put the priest back into his parish at St. Edward Roman Catholic Church despite a recommendation by his review board. Blackwell was stripped of his authority as a priest five years later, after he admitted to a long-term sexual relationship with another boy years earlier.

During the phone call, Tamara Stokes said she admonished Keeler for not apologizing in person. "I said if you want to apologize to someone, you do it face to face," she said. She said she was still waiting for the diocese to offer to pay for therapy for her son. "If they want to mend things ... that's the way to do it," she said. "Obviously, this young man needs counseling."

Keeler has written that he regrets reinstating Blackwell in 1993, after Stokes accused him of abuse, and Keeler publicly apologized to Stokes and his family. Blackwell has not been charged in relation to either of the allegations, but police and prosecutors said they are beginning new inquiries into the priest. Blackwell has not commented to The Associated Press, and a man who answered the door at his home Thursday did not comment to The (Washington) Post.

The meeting with Keeler came as Brown continues to lobby for Stokes to be given probation and mental health counseling instead of a criminal trial. The case is to be considered by a grand jury next week. "I have no idea what's going to happen," said Tamara Stokes, who said she remains hopeful that her son will be allowed out of home detention soon.

The WBALChannel.Com

Text Of Letter To Cardinal Keeler

May 28, 2002

Cardinal William H. Keeler Archdiocese of Baltimore 320 Cathedral Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Re: State of Maryland v. Dontee Stokes

Dear Cardinal Keeler:

I have been retained to represent Dontee Stokes against charges filed by the State as the result of the shooting of Maurice Blackwell on May 13, 2002, in the 700 block of Reservoir Street. As I am sure you are aware, Dontee has alleged that Maurice Blackwell sexually abused him from 1990 through 1993. These allegations were investigated and found to be quite legitimate by both the review Board of the Archdiocese of Baltimore on Child Abuse as well as the Baltimore City Police Department. Notwithstanding, nothing was done save for the ninety day removal of Maurice Blackwell from St. Edwards Parish.

Over the years Dontee, like many other young boys who had been subjected to such cruel and unnatural impositions, had to cope with the ugly feelings that naturally accompany such victimization. Those feelings erupted on May 13th of this year, thus brining national attention to the Catholic Church's failure in Baltimore to responsibly address this young boy's 1993 complaint.

Now, one of the same institutions that turned its back on Dontee is pursuing his incarceration for at least five years. Under Maryland law, if the State's Attorney is successful in convicting Dontee of the use of a handgun in a crime of violence, ie.) assault in the first degree of Maurice Blackwell, the five year is a minimum and must be served without the benefit of parole. As his attorney, and a human being imbued with God given compassion, I think that is wrong. For this reason and others, I am asking that you join me in beseeching the State's Attorney, Pat Jessamy, to resolve this case against Dontee quickly and with an eye towards probation and much needed counseling. In exchange, Dontee is willing to publicize his forgiveness of Maurice Blackwell's actions and the Church's inaction toward him. I firmly believe that, rather than acrimony and contention, what is really needed is forgiveness, healing and love.

You have publicly offered an apology to Dontee and his family for which they are highly appreciative. However, we believe it is equally appropriate for you to publicly join in asking that the State's Attorneys Office quickly bring a measure of closure and healing to his human tragedy by offering Dontee counseling over incarceration.

Respectfully submitted,

WARREN A. BROWN

WAB/gw

cc: David William Kinkopf, Esquire

Mr. Dontee Stokes

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