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.

Eau Claire County Circuit Judge Paul Lenz issued an oral ruling in the lawsuit filed by Carsten and Sally Ellison of Barron.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lenz was assigned the lawsuit, which was filed in St. Croix County.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)