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States use Catholic clergy abuse lists to screen applicants
In the wake of revelations that scores of Roman Catholic priests and religious workers credibly accused of child sexual abuse are living unsupervised in communities across the country, state officials face a quandary: Should they screen former clergy members who seek licenses for jobs that put them in contact with children? And, if so, how? […]
States use Catholic clergy abuse lists to screen applicants
In the wake of revelations that scores of Roman Catholic priests and religious workers credibly accused of child sexual abuse are living unsupervised in communities across the country, state officials face a quandary: Should they screen former clergy members who seek licenses for jobs that put them in contact with children? And, if so, how? […]
Criminal Law: Child Sexual Abuse-Propensity Evidence
Where a defendant challenged his conviction for sodomy of a child, the claims in the motion did not preserve the defendant’s claim that propensity evidence was unfairly prejudicial, and the judgment is affirmed because the defendant did not show that the trial court gave erroneous instructions. Judgment is affirmed. State v. Dutcher (MLW No. […]
Criminal Law:Child Sexual Abuse-Prior Sexual Assault-Limited Defense Testimony
Where a defendant, who was convicted of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, challenged the admission of evidence of a prior sexual assault, the judgment is affirmed because the crime was similar and near the same time, and the probative value outweighed the potential prejudice, and the defendant also did not show that the […]
Vatican committee: Church credibility at risk over sex abuse
Organizers of an upcoming Vatican summit on sex abuse prevention are warning that the credibility of the Catholic Church is in jeopardy over the abuse scandal and are urging participants to meet with victims personally before coming to Rome. In a letter sent Tuesday to the presidents of bishops’ conferences worldwide, organizers said the church […]
Vatican committee: Church credibility at risk over sex abuse
Organizers of an upcoming Vatican summit on sex abuse prevention are warning that the credibility of the Catholic Church is in jeopardy over the abuse scandal and are urging participants to meet with victims personally before coming to Rome. In a letter sent Tuesday to the presidents of bishops’ conferences worldwide, organizers said the church […]
Constitutional Law : First Amendment – Church Liability – Child Sexual Abuse
B.B. v. Methodist Church of Shelbina, Missouri, et al. (MLW No. 71277/Case No. ED104969- 28 pages) (Mo.Ct.App. E.D., Clayton, J.)
Church accord averted jurors’ wrath
Interviews with three jurors indicate the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph chose wisely when on the eve of closing arguments this week it agreed to settle Jon David Couzens’ abuse suit against a former monsignor.
Voters to decide evidence rule in sex abuse cases
The Nov. 4 ballot contains a proposed state constitutional amendment that could make it easier to admit evidence of prior sex crimes — even unproven ones — to support abuse allegations against child victims.
Priest trial: What did the plaintiff know, when did he know it?
Plaintiff Jon David Couzens returned to the stand on Wednesday in the Independence trial of his abuse claims against a local priest.
Priest says diocese knew about alcoholism, not abuse
The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph may have known about Monsignor Thomas O’Brien’s alcoholism, but not necessarily any abuse allegations, according to testimony heard Monday by a Jackson County jury.
$10 million sought in rare priest abuse trial
A Jackson County jury will continue to wrestle this week with whether the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph knew about allegations of abuse by one of its priests in the early 1980s and did nothing to stop it.
Latest Opinion Digests
- Criminal Law: Child Abuse-Sufficiency Of Evidence-Closing Argument
- Civil Rights: Religious Freedom-RLUIPA-Res Judicata
- Civil Practice: Res Judicata-Stop Work Order
- Immigration: Drug Conviction-Removability-Overbreadth of State Offense
- Civil Practice: Asset Forfeiture-Sanctions
- Civil Rights: Due Process-Failure to State Claim
- Probate : Revocable Trust – Amendment – Reformation
- Employer – Employee : Unpaid Commissions – At-Will Status
- Criminal Law : Post-Conviction Relief – Effectiveness Of Counsel – Conflict Of Interest
- Appellate Practice : Jurisdiction – Final Judgment
- Domestic Relations : Parenting Plan – Child Support
- Criminal Law : Post-Conviction Relief – Guilty Plea – Sentence Advice
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