Judge Sends Kelly Jury Home for the Day

The Record
April 17, 2012

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120417/A_NEWS/120419877

A judge overseeing a civil trial against former priest Michael Kelly and the Diocese of Stockton has sent the jury home for the day while figuring out what to do since Kelly has left the country.

Kelly returned to his native Ireland, the diocese said on Monday, just before he was to testify in the civil proceedings brought by a former altar boy who says he was molested by Kelly while both served at Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton.

The plaintiff recovered memories only after the statue of limitations had expired.

San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Bob McNatt met in his chambers with attorneys for about 45 minutes this morning, then came out and dismissed the jury, saying he needed to determine how to proceed now that Kelly, who was found liable by the jury, has left.

Read Wednesday’s Record for more on this story by staff writer Roger Phillips.