SPRINGFIELD (MA)
iobserve
By Father Bill Pomerleau
SPRINGFIELD – Andrew Nicastro, a Williamstown man who was abused by former priest Alfred F. Graves from 1982 to 1985, agreed to a $500,000 settlement with Springfield Bishop Emeritus Joseph F. Maguire and former Springfield Bishop Thomas L. Dupré on July 27.
The agreement, which was worked out late July 26, ended a dramatic trial which featured emotional testimony by Nicastro, his family members and two priests who testified to the harm caused by the Graves.
“The testimony was compelling,” said John Stobierski, Nicastro’s principal attorney. Speaking at a press briefing on the steps of the Hampden County Hall of Justice after the trial, Stobierski said that while he was confident that his client was winning his case in the trial, other factors persuaded him to settle out-of-court.
“We were warned that, even if we won, we would have faced two more barriers. First, they (the bishops) would have appealed. Second, even if we won on appeal, we would have had to sue their insurance companies to actually receive any money. That process might have taken another three to five years,” Stobierski said.
“I can’t comment on what cynics might say,” Stobierski responded when asked what he would say to someone who suggested that the case was actually about money. He said that the case not only brought justice to his client, but also might give other abuse victims the courage to come forward to tell their stories.
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