April 13, 2005

Jury Awards Nearly $2 Million to Hayward Brothers Molested by Priest

HAYWARD (CA)
KXTV

A Hayward jury has awarded $1.93 million in compensatory and punitive damages to two brothers who were molested as alter boys by an Antioch priest.

The jury decided the Oakland Diocese was responsible for 60 percent of the award and Rev. Robert Ponciroli for 40 percent.

The jury determined the diocese acted with malice in deciding the punitive damages.

Earlier this month the jury found Ponciroli guilty of molesting the Hayward brothers when he served at St. Ignatious Catholic Church in Antioch. The boys were about nine and 10 years old when the sexual abuse occurred, about 25 years ago.

Posted by kshaw at April 13, 2005 07:46 PM