A judge has dismissed a man's sexual assault claim against retired Biloxi Missouri Bishop Joseph Howze because the man failed to hire an attorney.The allegation was filed in court by a 50 year old man last March.
But in an order signed on Friday, circuit judge Lisa Dodson dismissed the lawsuit, because the alleged victim never hired an attorney.
Diocesan Apostolic Administrator, Most Rev Thomas J. Rodi, said that the Church has made no payment to or settlement of any kind with the Plaintiff, and no payment or settlement is expected.
"In our legal system it is not adequate to simply file a lawsuit which makes accusations, but the case must be moved forward so that the truth or falsity of such claims can be weighed in court," he said.
"Since there was never any evidence presented to the Court in this matter, when dismissing the lawsuit the Court left open the possibility for the Plaintiff to file another lawsuit in the future. If Plaintiff files another lawsuit, we will be ready to again vigorously defend against the matter in court."
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(Source: CTHUS)