BishopAccountability.org
	Jane Doe 2 Case Gets Second Look By Mary Beth Smetzer Fairbanks News-Miner [Alaska] March 12, 2006 http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7244~3266373,00.html A Nome judge has agreed with Jane Doe 2's request to take another look at a civil lawsuit that was dismissed in February on a ruling that the statute of limitations in the case was not met. The lawsuit alleged that the Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska and the Society of Jesus were negligent in supervising the Rev. James Poole, who allegedly molested Jane Doe 2. Superior Court Judge Ben Esch is reconsidering the dismissal and requesting that the defendants in the case, the bishop and the Jesuits, respond within 15 calendar days. The judge's orders came in response to a motion made by Ken Roosa, Jane Doe 2's attorney, last week. On Feb. 22, Esch dismissed the suit, saying the statute of limitations had passed, a ruling that could affect more than 100 claims of sexual abuse against minors in Alaska. The original civil suit included Poole, a Jesuit priest, but Esch dismissed him from the suit in December for the same reason. By granting the motion, one of two filed by Jane Doe 2's attorney, Esch will review the case in the next three weeks. "He's a good judge and he is going to do his very best to make the best decision," said Roosa. "We're very happy that he has made that choice." Lawyers for the bishop and the Jesuits were unavailable for comment Friday. However, Ronnie Rosenberg, spokesperson for the diocese, said, "We believe the court made the right decision initially. It reviewed voluminous documents as well as heard testimony from witnesses." A second motion filed by Jane Doe 2's attorneys claims the Jesuits failed to produce thousands of key documents relevant to Poole, who has been named in four sexual molestation lawsuits and a fifth complaint that was settled before a civil suit was filed. The motion, filed last week, states the Jesuits failed to turn over court-ordered evidence of sexual abuse and cover-up and hid relevant e-mails, scoured Poole's computer clean, and misled investigators. Mary Beth Smetzer can be reached at msmetzer@newsminer.com or 459-7546.
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