4th Step Homicide confession?

[nimrod]

I've been sponsoring a guy for the past three months. He's sober 8 months. We've done the 1st three steps and we were sitting down tonight to discuss the columns on the fourth step.

During the conversation he mentioned that he had assaulted someone 12 or 13 years ago. I stopped him and asked him if it were a felony with a statute of limitations. He said no and that he could still go away for a very long time if caught.

My fear is that if he tells me something like this, I'll feel morally obligated to alert law enforcement. Even if I weren't to do that, I worry that if this guy relapses he might come after me or my family to avoid having any potential witness against him.

I talked with my sponsor who didn't have any first hand experience with this. But suggested that I could tell this guy to not mention parts of his fourth step with me that could be used against him by a district attorney. He also suggested I should call some other old timer's in our area and get their opinions. I also thought maybe I would ask this message board.

My thinking is that I'll tell him that I don't want to hear any details of his fourth step that would place me in a morally compromising position. This some how feels contrary to my perception of the spirit of the fifth step.

Does any one know if I can send this guy to a priest? Can a non-catholic still use a confessional? Any ideas on what I should do? I've heard a gang of 5th steps but I've never run across this before.

[angussdundee]

The first thing that struck me when I read this post is how similar the relationship is to the doctor and his patient or the lawyer with his client or the priest with his confessor and of course, the newcomer with his sponsor.
It is, in my opinion a relationship of sacred trust. If sponsors began blabbing about their sponsees, not only would individuals be hurt but the entire system would fall apart.
I say, treat your sponsees confidentiality as you would like your[i] sponsor to treat [i]yours.

Because we AAs remain non-professional we do not have a legal responsibility to take action if someone gives us information that could be harmful, but we do have a moral obligation. And I think it is commendable that you have discussed this situation with your own sponsor and with your 'network' of advisers.
Why not try speaking to a priest or a doctor yourself about your concerns? After all they are more experienced at handling such situations.
In my experience these situations only arise rarely, but when they do, our response may be the crucial factor in the outcome.

Anguss.

[nimrod]

I appreciate your reply. As I read, your comment reminded me of a member in our program I need to consult. We are blessed with a sober priest in a parish next door to mine. I can't believe I didn't even think about that! Very appreciated.

I also appreciate the distinction of moral vs. legal imperative. More to think and pray on.

[WolfM]

Dear Nimrod,
A few years ago an AA blabbed in an open meeting that he had murdered someone in a blackout. He was arrested and tried and convicted. His defense lawyer claimed that what he said in an open meeting was like the relationship between a priest and his confessor.
This went all the way to the Supreme Court. His appeal was denied on this basis since AA is not a religion. But I thought about that and figured that if he said it to his sponsor or during a 5th step, rather than out in an open meeting, I would think it would be more confidential. But as it says in the Big Book, we alll must do a 9th step. And if one does a fearless and thorough moral inventory, one is likely to face this issue, with the help and guidance of the sponsor, and face the music.
There was another case where a guy did a ninth step with a woman he had gang raped in college. She had him arrested. He had to do some hard time. I do not know if he expected her to just forgive and forget, but I am sure that he and his sponsor talked about the ramifications of doing what he did.
As Angus says, it is good that you are consulting with other members of your group. Someone is bound to have some experience with this type of situation.
WolfM