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	Diocese Abuse Case Now in Jury's Hands By Jason Fechner WQAD September 16, 2006 http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=5415670&nav=menu132_2_3_6 Davenport, Iowa -- Attorneys made their final arguments Friday in a sexual abuse case filed against the Diocese of Davenport in July, 2005. Michl Uhde filed the suit, alleging Monsignor Thomas Feeney sexually abused him for six years, beginning when he was only seven-years-old. "This week was a very painful experience for Mike Uhde," said attorney Patrick Noaker, "but also it was a fulfilling experience for Mike Uhde because he got to tell his story." According to Uhde, Feeney started abusing him when he was an altar boy at Sacred Heart Church in Davenport. The abuse lasted until he was 13. That's when he told his mother about it, but when she told members of the Diocese, they did nothing, according to Uhde's attorneys. After closing arguments Friday afternoon, the jury broke to deliberate the case's outcome, an outcome the diocese' defense team says is essential to the future of the Catholic church. "It's vital to the continued existence of the Diocese," said Rand Wanio, a member of the Diocese defense team. "If we lose this case, critical decisions will have to be made in the future." Also Friday, Uhde's attorneys reduced their projected damages, from $2.3 million to $744,000, citing the figure as more in-line with what Uhde was seeking. "As a trial lawyer," Wanio said, "I read into it that they didn't think the case was as strong as it was when they started." "This has never been about money," Noaker countered. "It's still not about money. We believe in Mike Uhde and we have experienced a lot of the pain he's experienced as a result of Father Feeney's abuse." The jury will reconvene Monday morning at 9am to begin their deliberations. If they are unable to come to a unanimous decision within six hours, deliberations will continue later into the week, with only seven jurors required to come to a verdict.
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