Jackson County trial against bishop, Catholic diocese to proceed, judge rules

MISSOURI
The Kansas City Star

A Jackson County judge today refused to dismiss misdemeanor charges against the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Bishop Robert Finn.

Circuit Judge John Torrence ruled that the case should be heard by a jury to determine if Finn and the diocese violated the law by failing to report suspected child abuse by the Rev. Shawn Ratigan.

Torrence also denied a joint defense request to have separate trials for the bishop and the diocese.

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