EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) -- A judge rejects motions by the Catholic Diocese of Superior seeking dismissal of a wrongful death lawsuit filed against it by the parents of a Hudson funeral home intern who was killed five years ago.
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Eau Claire County Circuit Judge Paul Lenz issued an oral ruling in the lawsuit filed by Carsten and Sally Ellison of Barron.
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The 22-year-old Ellison and 39-year-old funeral director Daniel O'Connell were fatally shot February 5th, 2002, at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson.
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The Reverend Ryan Erickson, who had formerly been posted in Hudson, hanged himself in December 2004 while at a new assignment in Hurley. That took place just days after police questioned him about the slayings.
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St. Croix County Circuit Judge Eric Lundell reviewed evidence and heard testimony before ruling in 2005 that there was probable cause that Erickson shot the two men.
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St. Croix County District Attorney Eric Johnson has said evidence suggested O'Connell learned the priest was sexually abusing someone, was providing alcohol to minors, or both.
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Lenz was assigned the lawsuit, which was filed in St. Croix County.
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(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)