Diocese Fraud Trial Continues

By Brian Miller
NBC 26
May 17, 2012

http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/151953935.html

Appleton-- Testimony continued Thursday in a trial involving the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay and two former Outagamie County brothers who were sexually abused by former priest John Patrick Feeney in the 1970's. Feeney was convicted of sexual assault for two incidents involving the Merryfields, once in the boys' bedrooms. The other incident involved Feeney touching the Troy Merryfield's penis through his pants during confessional at the church.

The first witness for the defense was a psychologist hired by the Diocese to evaluate the Merryfield brothers last January. Dr. Timothy Lynch testified he did not believe the abuse would be considered "sexual" abuse and says the incident did not cause the Merryfields any great trauma. "There was no treatment required, decades went by with no mention of any symptoms or consequences with respect to personal, life, academic life, family life," Lynch testified.

Dr. Lynch told the jury the boys experienced mild trauma from the Feeney incident.

Lawyers for the Merryfields pointed out Lynch is not an expert on sexual abuse and he met with diocese attorneys before submitting his report.

Jurors have now heard nearly a dozen witnesses over three days, and a verdict could come early next week.