Green Bay Catholic Diocese wants new trial
By: Donald Robinson
Updated: July 17, 2012
Appleton, Wis.(WFRV)--The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay wants a new trial in the case against Todd and Troy Merryfield.
The brothers won a 700-thousand dollar judgment against the diocese for a sexual abuse case involving former priest John Feeney in 1978 while he was the pastor at Freedom's St. Nicholas Church.
Feeney was convicted of the abuse in 2004.
Outagamie County Judge Nancy Krueger heard both sides again today.
The defense says it wants a new trial because juror number 2024 did not tell the truth about prior knowledge of Feeney. It was revealed that a sibling was likely abused by Feeney in 1958 and that she had a close friendship with a cousin of the Merryfields.
Attornies for the Merryfields say juror 2024 just wondered if there was abuse to her brothers by Feeney, but never had evidence anything happen.
Judge Krueger says she will have a written decision on Wednesday or Thursday about any possible biased juror and the request to reopen the punitive damage decision in the case if there is a new trial.
