STOCKTON (CA)
The Record
Diocese cuts off pay, benefits after flight to Ireland
By Jennie Rodriguez-Moore
Record Staff Writer
April 19, 2012
STOCKTON – Jury members must decide for themselves if the sudden departure of Catholic priest Michael Kelly, found liable of sexually assaulting a former altar boy, is an attempt to limit evidence against the Diocese of Stockton, San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Bob McNatt told a jury Wednesday in a civil case filed against the priest and the church.
Kelly left the United States on Sunday for his native Ireland just two days before he was scheduled to testify in the civil trial. A former altar boy who said he was molested by Kelly more than 20 years ago is seeking damages from Kelly and the diocese.
This jury already found Kelly liable and is now determining whether the diocese is also to blame.
The diocese, which continued paying Kelly a salary and benefits until church officials learned he left for Ireland, stopped his compensation, defense attorney Jim Goodman confirmed Wednesday.
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