Lawyer: 'Keep an open mind' on priest

OWOSSO (AP) — A lawyer is urging the public to “keep an open mind” and not make quick judgments in the case of a priest accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from a church.

Cassandra Green tells The Associated Press that a lot of information compiled by state police needs to be reviewed.

The Rev. David Fisher was pastor for 23 years at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Owosso, 90 miles northwest of Detroit.

The Catholic Diocese of Lansing says $450,000 is missing.

The 70-year-old Fisher retired in 2015 and moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota. He appeared in court Thursday in Shiawassee County.

Not-guilty pleas were entered to many charges.