Jury Awards $16M in Catholic Clergy Abuse Case

0:00An Alameda County jury just hit the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland with a $16 million damages award to a man sexually abused by his. Priest over 50 years ago when he was just a 10-year-old altar boy. This March's California's first verdict in a Catholic clergy abuse case since a 2019 law change opened the floodgates for old claims. And it's set to guide hundreds more against the diocese, which has been stuck in bankruptcy since 2023. The victim's lawyer called it a loud wake-up call from society, saying juries are done tolerating child abuse by authority figures like priests, and it's pushing for real safety and accountability after decades of pain. The diocese admits the abuse happened, and that they failed to watch the priest properly. He got defrocked in 1987 and later served. Prison time for more offenses, though he's now locked up for something else. While bankruptcy blocks direct payouts, insurance might cover it, and this Bellweather trial sets the tone for settlements

1:00ahead of the next one. Starting in June, leaving hundreds of survivors waiting on the courts to deliver justice. I'm Corey with the story. That's your California news today update. AI powered and always on.