Jury to start deliberations in Green Bay diocese trial

Brothers sued for fraud in 2008

Published On: May 20 2012 12:05:20 AM CDT   Updated On: May 20 2012 11:00:56 AM CDT
APPLETON, Wis. -

A jury will soon begin deliberations in the fraud trial against the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay.

Two brothers, Troy and Todd Merryfield, sued the diocese in 2008, alleging it committed fraud by repeatedly transferring priest John Feeney without telling parishioners about Feeney's history of abuse.

Feeney was convicted in 2004 for the sexual assaults of the Merryfields; he has been released.

The diocese claimed it had no knowledge of abuse, and also said the Merryfields have not presented enough evidence to support their claim.

The Post-Crescent reported the diocese closed its case Friday in the Outagamie County civil lawsuit. Jurors begin deliberations on Monday.

The brothers are asking for unspecified compensation from the diocese.

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