HAYWARD (CA)
Monterey Herald
By RANDY MYERS
Contra Costa Times
HAYWARD - Building on the Diocese of Oakland's admission it acted negligently in the matter of a priest who sexually abused altar boys decades ago, a civil trial opening in Alameda County Superior Court took a new direction Wednesday.
At issue now is whether the church acted intentionally or just negligently.
"The only issue that remains in dispute in this trial is the nature and extent of the plaintiff's damages," according to one document church lawyers filed this week.
Robert Thatcher, one of two brothers suing the diocese over their treatment while they served as altar boys at St. Ignatius from 1979 to 1981, is seeking punitive and other damages from the diocese.
In the second day of a civil trial, Alameda County Judge Harry Sheppard heard 13 motions filed by church attorneys. Many were linked to whether the church "targeted" altar boys in its response to abuse complaints brought by parishioners against former priest Robert Ponciroli.
Posted by kshaw at March 10, 2005 08:12 AM