Green Bay diocese pays $700K to settle Merryfield sex abuse case

APPLETON — The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay agreed to pay $700,000 in settlement of a civil lawsuit brought by two brothers who were molested by the Rev. John Feeney in the 1970s.

Outagamie County Judge Nancy Krueger dismissed the case on Monday, based on the agreement reached by the diocese and Todd and Troy Merryfield. The settlement matches the verdict reached at a trial last year. Krueger subsequently overturned the verdict and ordered a new trial after finding a member of the jury was biased.

The case would’ve been re-tried in May.

Green Bay Bishop David Ricken issued a statement Tuesday, apologizing to the Merryfields and all victims of child sexual abuse.

“First and foremost, I would like to say I am truly sorry to Todd Merryfield and Troy Merryfield, as well as their families, for the pain they have endured from child sexual abuse and the lawsuits that followed,” Ricken wrote. “I hope and pray that they can experience God’s healing presence within their hearts.”

The Merryfields couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

John Peterson, an attorney for the brothers, said the settlement eliminates what would’ve been a long road ahead all involved.He predicted the case would’ve gone to appeal regardless of the verdict and would have likely ended up before the state Supreme Court. There was a chance that on appeal, the case would’ve gone to trial for a third time.

continue at GB Press Gazette

GB Diocese statement (pdf)

New trial set for Merryfields v GB Diocese

APPLETON - A new trial date has been set in a lawsuit brought by two brothers against the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay.

Todd and Troy Merryfield were awarded $700,000 by a jury earlier this year for how the diocese managed then-Father John Feeney - a priest later convicted of sexually abusing the boys. However, a judge tossed out the verdict, saying a juror was not forthcoming about her experience and views during the selection process.

The Merryfields asked the court of appeals to hear an appeal of that decision before a second trial could be held. However, the appeals court denied that request Wednesday, according to online court records.

The next trial is scheduled for May 6.

 Fox11

Judge denies Catholic Diocese of Green Bay's request to dismiss Merryfield case

I saw this on The Provincial Emails

WLUK reports,

"The Diocese asked Outagamie County Judge Nancy Krueger to throw out the case, using the legal argument known as 'laches' - that the Merryfields waited too long to file the suit and the resulting loss in testimony and evidence has damaged the case such that it isn't fair to try.

"In a ruling filed late Wednesday afternoon, however, Krueger denies the Diocese's request for dismissal."

(via Wisconsin Law Journal)