ST. CLOUD (MN)
St. Cloud Times
By David Unze
dunze@stcloudtimes.com
A Stearns County judge has dismissed Bishop John Kinney from a lawsuit accusing a former St. Cloud Diocese priest of sexual abuse.
The ruling this week by Stearns County District Court Judge Elizabeth Hayden means the diocese and James Thoennes remain defendants in the lawsuit filed by Wayne Eller.
Eller's attorney and the diocese previously agreed to two settlement options. Hayden's ruling triggers the higher of the two monetary settlements from the diocese, said Jeff Anderson, the attorney representing Eller.
Roger Schmitt, an attorney representing the diocese, said the diocese was reviewing Hayden's ruling and said it was too early to know whether it would appeal. He wouldn't disclose the settlement amount.
Posted by kshaw at March 11, 2005 04:05 AM