Las Vegas priest remains at large after church soloist (Also Vegas Showgirl) attack

Roman Catholic priest remained a fugitive for a fourth day Tuesday, while a judge issued a warrant seeking his arrest on attempted murder charges in an attack on a church employee in a parish office.



The Rev. George Chaanine, 52, an emigrant from Lebanon, also faces charges including battery with a deadly weapon, battery with intent to commit sex assault and kidnapping in the Friday attack, police said.

Police have refused to name the woman who was attacked, but her lawyer identified her as Michaelina Bellamy.

"It was a violent attack," Bellamy's lawyer, Al Massi, said.

Massi said he did not know Bellamy's age, and refused to provide details about Bellamy's injuries.

Bellamy sang as a church soloist and worked at the Our Lady of Las Vegas parish office where authorities said Chaanine was an administrator. Bellamy is an entertainer with a long resume, including stints as a featured singer and dancer with the Follies Bergere on the Las Vegas Strip and with singers such as Englebert Humperdinck.

Diocese of Las Vegas spokeswoman Lee Haney said church administrators were "deeply saddened" by the case. Haney released information about Chaanine's background and said church officials were cooperating with police.

On Sunday, Chaanine was placed on administrative leave with pay, meaning he cannot act in any capacity as a priest. (Snip, complete article at this link)