HUDSON (WI)
Pioneer Press
BY KEVIN HARTER
Pioneer Press
Several priests who knew the Rev. Ryan Erickson told investigators they found him to be rigid, divisive and troubled.
Transcripts of interviews with the priest were the latest information released by the Hudson, Wis., city attorney, who is slowly making public most of the documents from the investigation of Erickson.
That investigation led a St. Croix County judge to find probable cause that Erickson had killed two men in February 2002 at a Hudson funeral home and earlier had sexually abused at least one boy. Erickson, 31, later hanged himself.
In 233 pages of documents released Thursday, the Rev. Phillip Rask, St. Paul Seminary rector, told investigators Erickson was a "below average" student. He said church officials were concerned about Erickson's inability to curb his impulses, including drinking and "promiscuity."