Ohio Supremes Take on Priest Sex Abuse Appeals

The Toledo Blade reports that the Ohio State Supreme Court has agreed to review two appellate decisions that split on the same issue, coming out of the 1st District Court of Appeals, here in Hamilton County, and the 3d District Court of Appeals, on a case coming out of Shelby County. The cases are all styled Doe v. Archdiocese of Cincinnati, with the Shelby County case at 2005-Ohio-960 and the two Hamilton County cases at 2004-Ohio-7003.

The Supreme Court will look at whether the plaintiffs can sue the priests and Archdiocese of Cincinnati when the statute of limitations on the offense has expired. The 3d District reversed a trial court opinion that dismissed that case. The 1st District affirmed a trial court opinion dismissing a similar case. An Ohio General Assembly bill aimed to extend the statute of limitations passed the Senate but has stalled in the House, where it is before the Judiciary committee.