Judge Denies Archdiocese’s and Diocese’s Motion to Stay Discovery and Depositions of Archbishop Nienstedt and Fr. Kevin McDonough
(St. Paul, MN) – Ramsey County Judge John Van de North denied a request today from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the Diocese of Winona to stay discovery in a civil lawsuit and delay the release of names of priests who have been accused of sexual abuse since 2004. Also, the depositions of Archbishop John Nienstedt and former Vicar General Kevin McDonough will proceed in the civil lawsuit filed on behalf of a sexual abuse survivor, Doe 1, who was abused by Father Thomas Adamson at St. Thomas Aquinas in St. Paul Park.
“The judge’s decision over the weekend reflects the urgency of this information needing to be known and revealed as soon as possible and addresses the perils that exist,” said Doe 1’s attorney Jeff Anderson. Judge Van de North’s clerk alerted attorneys today and told the parties it was sent “prior to signing and filing because of the upcoming deadline.”