Valley County District Court records say the Rev. John Kakkuzhiyil (kah-kuh-ree-AL’) entered a written plea of not guilty Monday to a charge of forcible sexual assault. His trial is set to begin May 6.
The woman who accused him has obtained a protection order against the cleric. She says he assaulted her in November when she went to his Ord home on business. She says she blacked out after having a couple of drinks with him.
The Grand Island Diocese says Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt placed Kakkuzhiyil on leave Dec. 15 upon learning that the Nebraska State Patrol was investigating the allegations.