Jury chosen in Green Bay diocese fraud trial

By: Associated Press//May 15, 2012//

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APPLETON, Wis. (AP) – A jury has been selected to hear a fraud trial against the Green Bay Catholic Diocese.

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

WLUK-TV reports 12 jurors and three alternates were selected Monday. Opening statements are scheduled Tuesday.

The Merryfields could testify in the case, which is expected to last two weeks.

Feeney was convicted in 2004 of assaulting the brothers when Feeney was stationed at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Freedom in 1978.

Feeney has been defrocked and was recently released from prison.

Information from: WLUK-TV, http://www.fox11online.com

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