HUDSON (WI)
Star Tribune
Randy Furst, Star Tribune
October 1, 2005
Investigators will go into a Hudson, Wis., court on Monday to present evidence they believe links the killings of two funeral home workers to a deceased Catholic priest. Defenders of the priest, who committed suicide nearly 10 months ago, remain skeptical.
St. Croix County Circuit Judge Eric Lundell will hear up to 15 witnesses and decide whether there's probable cause that the Rev. Ryan Erickson shot to death Dan O'Connell, 39, and James Ellison, 22, at the Hudson funeral home where they worked in February 2002.
Even as local leaders hoped that the hearing would settle the debate that has embroiled parts of this community, Tom O'Connell, father of one of the slain workers, said Friday that knowing who committed the murders won't end the pain.
"It's not closure to me," said O'Connell, who has been briefed on the evidence. "I lost a son and another gentleman who was like a son."
In a statement issued through their attorney on Friday, Mary and Dennis Erickson, parents of the priest, said, "We know in our hearts that our son had nothing to do with this awful crime and feel tremendous