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	Ex-priest's Trial Stays in Scott County By Ann Mcglynn Quad-City Times May 1, 2009 http://www.qctimes.com/news/local/article_bf8b989c-35d8-11de-81e4-001cc4c03286.html A former priest accused of perjury is to be tried in Scott County, a judge has ruled. James Janssen, 85, is accused of lying to the court during his nephew’s attempt to collect a $1.4 million civil judgment against Janssen for sexual abuse. His trial begins May 18. Janssen and his attorney, Michael McCarthy, requested the trial be moved because of a “super-saturation” of adverse publicity about Janssen. Judge Bobbi Alpers ruled Monday that the state’s arguments against the move were “meritorious.” “While there have been numerous news articles about the civil lawsuit which resulted in the judgment against Mr. Janssen, the court does not find that the publicity generated in connection with this perjury action would specifically serve to prevent the defendant from receiving a fair and impartial trial within this community and using a jury selected from members of this community,” Alpers wrote. However, even though the request was denied, a larger panel of potential jurors will be called. And, if at the time of trial it appears that previous publicity has tainted the jury, the motion for a change of venue can be renewed, she wrote. Alpers also noted that the reasons for the underlying civil lawsuit need not be presented at trial and that Janssen will not be identified as a priest, as agreed to by the prosecution and defense. According to court documents, Janssen lied in April 2006 when he testified under oath that he did not transfer assets to a family member in the 10 years preceding that date. He later admitted to transferring assets, including more than $700,000 in bonds to his sister, Dorothy. In July 2007, Janssen lied on his application for a court-appointed attorney on an accusation of contempt of court, documents say. He did not disclose ownership of and income from an annuity or that he had access to money with his sister to pay his expenses. And in October 2007, officials said, he falsely testified under oath that he did not know about $80,000 in savings bonds. He later produced a list of bonds and admitted they were given as gifts to friends and family. Janssen was jailed last year for contempt of court for failing to produce his assets. He was removed from the priesthood in 2004 by Pope John Paul II. Believed to be the first-ever Davenport priest to be defrocked, Janssen was ordained in 1948. Janssen was a defendant in several civil suits alleging sex abuse, including the one filed by nephew James Wells. The others were dismissed after the victims reached settlements with the diocese.
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