If Heuermann Confessed To Priest, Could It Be Used Against Him?

In a recent episode of the "Hidden Killers" podcast, host Tony
Brueski dove into the circumstances surrounding Rex Heuermann's
current imprisonment. Brueski, alongside former Felony Prosecutor
and attorney Eric Faddis, scrutinized the isolation conditions
Heuermann faces and the legal implications of his recent
religious engagements.
 
 Heuermann, still awaiting trial for a high-profile case in
which he's accused of committing multiple murders, remains
confined to his cell. He experiences solitude even during
recreation time and doesn't have the privilege of communicating
with fellow inmates. While this might seem extreme, such
precautions are typical for individuals implicated in crimes of
this magnitude.
 
 "Authorities are taking precautions here," Faddis stated,
"He could be a target. He's alleged to have done horrible things,
including killing vulnerable, innocent victims."
 
 Brueski questioned the necessity of this rigorous
seclusion, particularly since Heuermann hasn't yet been
pronounced guilty. The overarching theme was clear: prison
politics. As Faddis elaborated, internal dynamics in
incarceration facilities can lead to targeted violence against
notorious individuals, implying that Heuermann's isolation is a
protective measure.
 
 "There's a whole political system inside...you can score
points by attacking someone who seems unpopular and
unsympathetic," Faddis noted.
 
 Brueski later broached the subject of Heuermann's recent
request for religious services, revealing that a member of the
Roman Catholic Church had seen him, though their title remains
unspecified. This interaction brings forth a significant legal
query: Can information confessed to a priest be utilized in
prosecuting the prisoner?
 
 In response, Faddis emphasized that the answer to this
intricate question differs across jurisdictions. "Many
jurisdictions have...a privilege between the priest and the
person giving a confession," he explained. The underlying
rationale behind such a privilege is the age-old belief in
ensuring individuals can confess sins without fear of their
revelations being used against them.
 
 But, as Faddis was quick to point out, there are
exceptions. He likened the privilege to the attorney-client
confidentiality dynamic, though he stressed that its application
can vary widely. For instance, the federal system might handle
this privilege differently than individual states.
 
 Brueski probed further, asking whether a priest if
approached, could be compelled to reveal what Rex confided.
Faddis responded by citing the federal system's general rule of
privilege, which allows clergy to refuse disclosure of any
confidential communication made by a person seeking spiritual
guidance.
 
 In a landscape filled with questions and uncertainties
surrounding the Rex Heuermann case, the recent revelations on
"Hidden Killers" add yet another layer of complexity. Whether
Heuermann's isolation is genuinely in his best interest, and how
the legal system navigates religious privileges in high-profile
cases, will surely continue to spark debate and interest.
 
 As the episode wrapped up, one point became clear: In cases
as high-profile as Heuermann's, every move, every decision, and
every interaction can have lasting implications.
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