BishopAccountability.org
 
  Buzanowski Defense Given More Time to Prepare for Trial

By Andy Nelesen
Press-Gazette [Green Bay WI]
March 19, 2005

An April 20 jury trial for a priest accused of sexual assault was scuttled Friday when his lawyer asked for more time to prepare his case.

Donald Buzanowski, 62, faces two counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child for allegedly fondling a 10-year-old boy in 1988 while serving as a counselor at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School in Green Bay.

The alleged victim made allegations in 1990, but the case was not prosecuted because of a lack of evidence. Another man came forward last year with allegations from about the same time period and prosecutors were able to develop other information, prompting the charges to be filed in October 2004.

Buzanowski has pleaded not guilty to both counts.

Buzanowski’s lawyer, Owen Monfils, dropped a request for a speedy trial and asked for more time to review evidence and prepare for trial. Brown County Circuit Court Judge J.D. McKay rescheduled the jury trial for July 26.

Prosecutors are still hoping to introduce evidence of other acts, including Buzanowski’s 2000 conviction for possession of child pornography and statements from a man who accused Buzanowski of repeatedly molesting him during visits to a Door County cottage. The allegations were not prosecuted because the statute of limitations had expired.

McKay said he expects to rule on the other acts evidence in the next 30 days.

Monfils said he expects to file a motion asking for a change of venue, a move that met objection by prosecutors. McKay said he rejected the motion now, but left the window open for reconsideration should the lawyers have problems empanelling a jury.

A double panel will be called for the case, McKay said, bringing in about 80 potential jurors.

"I don’t think, under the circumstances, there is a justification for a change of venue or a panel from outside Brown County," McKay said. "I’m sure we can handle the situation with a larger panel."

Buzanow-ski, who resigned from his priestly duties in January 1992, technically remains a clergyman.

Buzanowski remains in the Brown County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in prison.