Issue:CNN.com - Judge: Priest?likely killed two people in 2002 - Oct 3, 2005 - a possible good to come out of this?:

Specific:"Although Erickson cannot be charged, the victims' families requested the hearing to determine who was responsible for the killings.
The so-called John Doe hearing is used in only a few states, typically as an investigative tool. The hearing was closed to the public, but some reporters were allowed to attend."

Comment:Are there other uses or functionalities of a "John Doe" Hearing? Do other states have these? Could these be legally sanctioned for legal/partisan disputes?