The Associated Press, March 28, 1998

Ex-priest convicted in altar boy molestation case
Dallas diocese pays $119.6 million

DALLAS (AP) _ A former priest was convicted Saturday of sexually abusing altar boys in a case that already had led to a jury award of $119.6 million US against him and the Roman Catholic diocese of Dallas. Jurors deliberated 7{ hours over two days before finding Rudolph Kos, 52, guilty of three counts of aggravated sexual assault and one of indecency with a child.

An eight-count indictment alleged sexual abuse involving four former altar boys who said they were molested a total of about 1,350 times. Kos was acquitted of one indecency count. He pleaded guilty earlier in the week to one count of sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child.

The victims and their families greeted the verdicts with smiles and hugs. Kos had no visible reaction.

The $119.6 million award against Kos and the Dallas diocese in a civil lawsuit was the largest monetary judgment in any clergy sex-abuse case in U.S. history. Kos did not testify in either the criminal or the civil trial.

In closing arguments Friday, prosecutor Howard Blackmon urged the jury to hold Kos accountable. ``Find him guilty across the board,'' Blackmon said. ``End his trail of betrayal and deceit.''

Sentencing was scheduled to begin Monday. Aggravated sexual assault of a child is punishable by up to life in prison, and indecency with a child is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Sexual assault of a child also is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.