Judge rejects wrongful death lawsuit
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) A western Wisconsin judge has dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents of a man who was killed by a priest.
Carsten and Sally Ellison of Barron filed a lawsuit in St. Croix County Circuit Court against the Catholic Diocese of Superior over the death of their 22-year-old son, James Ellison. He was fatally shot along with 39-year-old Dan O'Connell in 2002 at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson.
Eau Claire County Judge Paul Lenz handled the case. He says it's "too remote" to think the diocese would have had any reason to believe the Rev. Ryan Erickson would kill someone.
Erickson was removed from St. Patrick Church in Hudson, moved to Ladysmith and then Hurley, where he hanged himself in 2004. A St. Croix County judge ruled in 2005 that Erickson murdered both men because he was afraid O'Connell would report Erickson's obsession with young boys, alcohol and firearms to church officials.
Sep 24, 2008 at 4:45 p.m.
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The fact that Erickson was shifted from Catholic Church to Catholic Church after the double murder especially in relation to his dangerous interests is a manifestation of organized crime.
Sep 24, 2008 at 2:45 p.m.
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Boy, some people only see or read what they WANT to see or read. The comment was not meant to be disrespectful~!! I said hmm...as in "confused"!
Sep 24, 2008 at 2:43 p.m.
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I in no way meant for my comment to be disrespectful. I was only stating that it was confusing and no one will ever know the real story.
Sep 24, 2008 at 9:20 a.m.
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My sympathies go out to the family who lost a loved one in such a violent and senseless way. But as a matter of law I think the judge made a good decision. It's inconceivable to me that the church diocese would have a clue that one of their priests was a murderer. Now I guess we'll have to wait and see if the family appeals the decision and the appellate court's decison.
Sep 24, 2008 at 9:01 a.m.
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You are SICK individuals and should be ashamed. Once again you cannot respect the individuals involved in tragic events. Put your son/nephew/father/husband in the place of these victims and find yourselves sick to the stomach.
I am of the opinion that the Gazette should disable all comments on articles that involve people that have been victimized or have passed away in a tragic way. Last week the comments regarding the tragic suicide of an 18 y.o. were quickly made into a spectacle because of the ridiculous chatter of idiots and cannot believe that this is the response to this article.
Sep 24, 2008 at 7:32 a.m.
Sep 24, 2008 at 7:23 a.m.
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