Monk Who Killed Nun Is Convicted Of Murder

MIAMI — An apprentice monk has been convicted on murder charges.

Twenty-two year-old Mykhaylo Kofel was sentenced today to two 30 year prison terms as part of a plea bargain with prosecutors. His original charge of first-degree murder was reduced to second-degree, but the charge of armed burglary with assault remains the same.

Kofel is a Ukrainian who belongs to the Byzantine Monastic Order of the Eastern Orthodox Church. He did not have a trial for the 2001 murder of 39-year-old Sister Michelle Lewis. Kofel confessed he stabbed her to death.

He claims two priests sexually abused him at the Holy Cross Academy. Those priests have denied the claim. Prosecutors say there is an investigation into the sexual abuse allegations.

Kofel’s prison terms are to run simultaneously.