GREELEY — The fact that a man charged with indecent exposure for jogging nude is a Roman Catholic priest won’t be mentioned during his trial.
The Rev. Robert Whipkey, 53, is scheduled to stand trial June 11 in Weld County District Court. He was arrested last June in Frederick, about 25 miles north of Denver, after an officer said he was seen walking naked on a street at 4:35 a.m.
District Judge Timothy Kerns approved a motion Friday to exclude any references to Whipkey’s profession during the trial because it has no bearing on the charge.
But Kerns approved a motion allowing previous incidents, including allegations that Whipkey has been seen walking around his home nude and swimming nude, to be admitted at the trial.
When he was arrested, Whipkey said he sweats profusely if he wears clothing while jogging, according to the arrest report. Police said he told them he had been running naked at a high school track and didn’t think anyone would be around that time of day.
If convicted of indecent exposure, a misdemeanor, prosecutors have said Whipkey would have to register as a sex offender.
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Information from: Greeley Tribune,
