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	Rogers Priest Guilty of One Count in Retrial of Sex-Abuse Case He Was Accused of Abusing His Position by Having Sex with Two Parishioners, at One Point Telling One That Her Dead Mother Spoke to Him and Said They Should Be Together By Rochelle Olson Minneapolis Star Tribune February 20, 2008 http://www.startribune.com/local/west/15776357.html In his second sex-abuse trial, former priest John Bussmann was acquitted Tuesday on one count and found guilty on a second alleging that he used his position to have sex with vulnerable female parishioners. A Hennepin County District Court jury took barely two hours to reach a verdict after about a week of testimony. In 2005, Bussmann was found guilty of two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct while he was a priest at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Rogers and St. Walburga Church in nearby Hassan Township. The state Supreme Court set aside those convictions in November and ordered a new trial. The court took issue with extensive evidence introduced at the first trial regarding the Roman Catholic Church's doctrine on the power of priests over parishioners. In a 90-minute closing argument Tuesday, Assistant County Attorney Marlene Senechal likened Bussmann to a pedophile who preys on victims. "In this unique relationship, the priest has enormous power," she said. Defense lawyer John Westrick countered that the women involved weren't completely under his sway because on occasion they said no to sex. He also said one of the women introduced sex into the relationship with talk of her own history of "sex, drugs and rock and roll." The jury acquitted Bussmann of abusing that woman. But Senechal noted that Bussmann gave the second victim's mother last rites as she lay dying and later told the woman that her deceased mother spoke to him and wanted them to be together. Even in his closing argument, Westrick acknowledged that comment was inappropriate. The Star Tribune doesn't identify victims of sex crimes. One woman and her husband have filed a lawsuit seeking damages, but she is identified in the case as "Jane Doe." The core of the criminal issue was whether sex occurred when the women were seeking religious or spiritual advice, aid or comfort. Senechal noted "extraordinary similarities" in how Bussmann approached the women and "broke down boundaries," talking about sex and masturbation, making them feel special and telling them their husbands weren't attentive enough or were probably cheating. Westrick responded that the first woman brought dinner to Bussmann along with candles and wine. "Hmmm, that doesn't seem like seeking religious aid and comfort to me," he said. Lawyers for both sides said they respected the decision of the jury. Sentencing is scheduled for 2 p.m. March 12 before District Judge Warren Sagstuen. The presumptive sentence is four years, and Bussmann already has served almost three. He will have to register as a sex offender upon his release. He is being held without bond. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis removed Bussmann from the priesthood in March 2003. Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747
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