Sexual Abuse Cases against Diocese Hit New Obstacle

By Allison Latos
WSOC
May 11, 2013

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/sexual-abuse-cases-against-diocese-hit-new-obstacl/nXnry/

Sexual abuse cases against the Charlotte Diocese could face months of delays, leaving the accusers waiting longer for their day in court.

Seth Langson represents four people who claim priests in the Charlotte Diocese abused them.

According to Langson, the abuse occurred more than 30 years ago.

"Victims of sex abuse often take decades to come forward," he said. "There is a lot of shame."

It's been nearly three years since Langson filed the lawsuits.

He worries his clients' courage to take action has hit a new obstacle and he's pointing the finger at politics in Raleigh.

Special Superior Court Judge Lane Williamson was hearing the sex abuse cases. When Gov. Pat Mcrory took office, he replaced Williamson with Judge Lisa Bell.

The case against the Charlotte Diocese has been reassigned to Judge Robert Bell.

Langson said the switch of judges shocked his clients.

"They were distraught," he said.

Hearings have been halted while Bell learns the case.

"It would be a superhuman effort to read through all the documents and understand the complexities of the case," Langson said.

Eyewitness News spoke with Bell, who said he is reviewing the files and will work to meet with attorneys on both sides in the next few weeks.

Other attorneys like Gary Jackson told Channel 9 the switch shouldn't have happened. Jackson is not happy with McCrory's move.

"When you go to a baseball game and there is an umpire, you don't want a Republican or Democrat umpire. You want one who calls the balls and strikes like they see them," he said.

Eyewitness News contacted the governor's office for a response to claims Williamson was replaced because of party lines but has not received a response.