WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Judge proposes joint trial for Vt diocese
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Associated Press - November 26, 2009 9:05 AM ET
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A Vermont judge says she wants to explore the idea of conducting a joint trial for 15 of 27 clerical sexual-abuse cases against the state's Roman Catholic diocese.
The Burlington Free Press reports the cases Judge Helen Toor might group involve claims by former altar boys at Christ the King Church. They say were molested by the same priest, the Rev. Edward Paquette, during a 2-year period in the late 1970s.
The other cases involve either alleged misconduct by Paquette at churches in Montpelier or Rutland, or alleged abuse by other Catholic priests.
Jerome O'Neill, who represents the former altar boys, said having a joint trial might be possible on what he called the "liability" portion of the cases. He opposed trying to extend that to the damages portion. Diocese lawyer Thomas McCormick agreed.
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