A former Kingsport priest convicted of rape has filed an appeal to a higher court to overturn his conviction.
According to the Criminal Court of Appeals Clerk in Knoxville, former priest William Casey filed a notice of appeal and an appellate brief on Jan. 16.
Casey was sentenced in the Tri-Cities to 35-40 years after being charged with molesting an altar boy. The abuse occurred over more than three decades.
Casey's attorney requested a new trial back in June. After reviewing the evidence, the judge denied Casey a new trial.