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	Sex Abuse Case Lawsuit against Priest Gets Gag Order By Judy L. Thomas Kansas City Star August 4, 2011 http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/03/3055718/sex-abuse-case-lawsuit-against.html A judge has issued a gag order restricting the public comments of lawyers involved in a sexual abuse lawsuit against a Kansas City priest. The order, issued by Jackson County Circuit Judge Ann Mesle, prohibits the lawyers from making or helping others make statements that would likely become public and could prejudice a future trial. Lawyers also cannot make statements that impugn or disparage the character, credibility or reputation of a party, the judge ordered. The case involves a lawsuit filed Sept. 29 against the Rev. Michael Tierney that accuses the priest of molesting a 13-year-old Missouri boy in 1971. Tierney, who was recently removed from public ministry for what the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese said were credible allegations of sexual misconduct with minors, is the subject of three civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse. Mesle said that her order is not intended to prevent the press or interest groups, such as the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, from speaking publicly. "At the same time," the judge said, "the Court finds and believes that some language used by counsel appears designed to try the issues of this litigation in a public forum." Rebecca Randles, the plaintiff's attorney, said she was reviewing the order. "But I can say that we've never violated any ethical rules," she said. Tierney's attorney, Brian Madden, declined comment Wednesday. In his request for the gag order, Madden said that when a lawsuit was filed against Tierney in June, SNAP made statements in a news release "that seriously jeopardize Father Tierney's ability to receive a fair trial in this case." "The press release refers to Father Tierney repeatedly as a 'predator' and links Father Tierney with other 'predators' because he happened to work at the same parish of other accused priests," Madden wrote in his motion. Contact: jthomas@kcstar.com
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