KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bishop Robert Finn appeared in Jackson County Court Tuesday, and through his attorney, asked the judge to dismiss the charges against him of failing to report suspected child abuse.
The judge said he would rule by the end of next week on the pre-trial motions to dismiss the case.
Prosecutors say Finn and the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph failed to report that they suspected Rev. Shawn Ratigan, 46, of child abuse. Prosecutors say the diocese discovered child pornography on Ratigan’s computer in December but didn’t turn them over to police until May. Ratigan faces federal and state charges of child pornography possession and has pleaded not guilty.
Finn has also pleaded not guilty and apologized for how he handled the case.
Finn’s trial is set for September 24.