BishopAccountability.org
 
  Testimony Details Alleged Priest Assaults

Press-Gazette [Green Bay WI]
Downloaded July 28, 2005

Buzanowski trial Accused: Donald Buzanowski, 62, whose last address was in Milwaukee. A Menasha native, Buzanowski served as a priest in parishes around Northeastern Wisconsin between May 1968 and May 1989. He was convicted in federal court in 2000 of possession of child pornography and served 21 months in federal prison. He was defrocked in March 2005.

Charges: Two felony counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.

Potential penalty: Up to 20 years in prison for each count.

What happened Tuesday: Twelve Brown County residents were picked as jurors, lawyers for the prosecution and defense gave opening statements and testimony began with the alleged victim and his mother.

Today: Prosecutors are expected to call a 39-year-old man who said Buzanowski molested him "20 times or more" during visits to a Door County cottage beginning in the summer of 1978. Prosecutors said the man's case was not brought to trial because the statute of limitations had expired, but they were allowed to use his statements in this case because it constitutes evidence of other bad acts. Prosecutors also plan to call several police officers and counselors. The defense is expected to begin its case, but it is unclear if it will call any witnesses