Ex-priest McCormack's hearings to be open to public

A Cook County judge ruled today that court hearings dealing with ex-priest Daniel McCormack's mental health will be open to the public as prosecutors seek to have McCormack civilly committed as a sexually violent person.

One of McCormack's attorneys, Daniel Coyne, argued in court today that the public's interest in openness isn't "safeguarded by knowing the inner workings of (McCormack's) brain." Prosecutors and an attorney for the Chicago Tribune had argued that the hearings be held in open court.

Cook County Judge Dennis Porter said Coyne's motion to keep the hearing closed was "overly broad in scope." McCormack pleaded guilty in 2007 to fondling five boys while he served as a Catholic priest. He was sentenced to five years in prison. McCormack was set to be released last September, but prosecutors are arguing that McCormack remains a danger and should continue receiving treatment at a secure facility. McCormack is due back in court Nov. 19.