Former Macomb County priest to stand trial for sex abuse

A former Shelby Township priest will face trial for criminal sexual assault (CSC) following a preliminary exam, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday.

A judge on Tuesday ruled there’s enough probable cause to send certain charges against Neil Kalina, 66, to Macomb County Circuit Court. He was a priest at St. Kiernan Catholic Church in Shelby Township from 1982-1985.

Kalina was first charged in May 2019 and arrested in Littlerock, California. That case was since reissued to include first-degree CSC. In all, Kalina faces the following as the case moves to trial:

• Two counts of second-degree CSC with a child between 13 but less than 16, felonies punishable by 15 years in prison.

• One count of first-degree CSC with a child between 13 but less than 16, a felony punishable by life in prison.

A second case, which was charged in June, was dismissed at the preliminary exam because the survivor is unable to proceed with the prosecution at this time. 

Kalina’s first date in Macomb County Circuit Court is set for Nov. 1.

In total, 11 people have been charged since the beginning of the Department of Attorney General’s Clergy Abuse Investigation. Four of the cases have resulted in convictions.


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