Former Priest in Green Bay Abuse Case to Get out of Prison Early

By Hannah O'Brien
Green Bay Press-Gazette
May 5, 2012

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120505/GPG0101/205050566/Former-priest-Green-Bay-abuse-case-get-out-prison-early

A former Green Bay priest who was sentenced to 32 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child has been granted early release after serving less than seven years, a victim advocacy group says.

Donald Buzanowski had a motion hearing Friday in front of Brown County Circuit Court Judge William Atkinson. Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests said Buzanowski could be released within a week.

Buzanowski's release is part of a deal made between the prosecution and defense that aimed to prevent Buzanowski from appealing his sentence based on a technicality relating to the statute of limitations in effect at the time of the crime, SNAP Midwest Director Peter Isely said Friday. Buzanowski will serve eight years on probation, Isely said.

Buzanowski was sentenced in 2005 to two 16-year prison terms for first-degree sexual assault of a child. The crimes were committed in 1988, when victim David Schauer was a fifth-grader at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic School in Green Bay.

Schauer spoke Friday asking for other victims to come forward so Buzanowski can be prosecuted again and sent back to prison.

Contact: hobrien@greenbaypressgazette