ALASKA
Fairbanks News-Miner
By MARY BETH SMETZER, Staff Writer
A Nome judge has agreed with Jane Doe 2's request to take another look at a civil lawsuit that was dismissed in February on a ruling that the statute of limitations in the case was not met.
The lawsuit alleged that the Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska and the Society of Jesus were negligent in supervising the Rev. James Poole, who allegedly molested Jane Doe 2.
Superior Court Judge Ben Esch is reconsidering the dismissal and requesting that the defendants in the case, the bishop and the Jesuits, respond within 15 calendar days.
The judge's orders came in response to a motion made by Ken Roosa, Jane Doe 2's attorney, last week.
On Feb. 22, Esch dismissed the suit, saying the statute of limitations had passed, a ruling that could affect more than 100 claims of sexual abuse against minors in Alaska.
The original civil suit included Poole, a Jesuit priest, but Esch dismissed him from the suit in December for the same reason.