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	Jury Wanted to Send a Message By Keith Herbert The Newsday [Mineola] May 18, 2007 http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lijury0519,0,5314376.story?coll=ny-top-headlines The landmark verdict in the sexual abuse case against the Diocese of Rockville Centre should be seen as a message, jurors said Friday. "We tried to make a point — that the door is open now, and people's eyes should be open," said juror Doreen Aragona of Williston Park. "And for children to speak out to someone. Don't wait — talk and let someone know." "I don't think any institution should be held above the law," added fellow juror Frank Wallner of Massapequa Park. Aragona said the graphic testimony about the sex abuse of children left a lasting impression. "I had nightmares that this was going to happen to my daughter," said Aragona, whose daughter is 12. The two jurors said they felt as though their verdict should send the message that children needed to be protected from sexual predators. The eight days of deliberations were emotional and contentious, Aragona and Wallner said. "There was a lot of evidence to go through," Wallner said. "We just want to make sure we did the right thing." The deliberations over money were less stressful than agreeing who was responsible. However, some jurors wanted "the universe" in damages, something Aragona said she opposed. The six-person jury was deadlocked at 3-3 for days before finally reaching its verdict on Friday, Aragona and Wallner said. "We had to compromise to find common ground," Aragona said. Earlier in deliberations, half the jurors felt that blame couldn't be placed on the diocese and the Rev. Thomas Haggerty for acting with "reckless disregard" for the safety of others when they hired and retained youth minister Matthew Maiello at St. Raphael's in East Meadow. Maiello pleaded guilty in 2003 to sexually abusing the two young adults starting in 1999, when they were in their teens. He served two years in prison and was named a defendant in the civil lawsuit. Contact: keith.herbert@newsday.com
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