OAKLAND (CA)
Oakland Tribune
FROM STAFF WRITER AND WIRE REPORTS
Jury selection started Monday in the civil trial of two brothers suing the Diocese of Oakland for alleged sexual molestation by a former priest.
Attorney Richard Simons, representing Robert and Tom Thatcher in the case, said a pool of 78 prospective jurors filled out questionnaires on the case Monday afternoon, and another 78 are expected to fill out similar questionnaires this morning.
Jury selection could continue into next week, a diocese spokesman said.
The brothers claim they were molested more than 20 years ago by the Rev. Robert Ponciroli, then-pastor at St. Ignatius Church in Antioch. Ponciroli has since been defrocked.