Partial verdict reached in Philadelphia priest abuse trial
Catholic Monsignor William Lynn faces accusations that he failed to keep priests accused of sexual abuse away from minors.
June 22nd, 2012
01:38 PM ET

Partial verdict reached in Philadelphia priest abuse trial

Jurors in Philadelphia on Friday reached a partial verdict in the landmark trial of Monsignor William Lynn, the highest-ranking cleric accused of endangering children by helping cover up sexual abuse, according to a source with knowledge of the proceedings.

Lynn, a defendant along with another Philadelphia priest, faces two counts of endangering the welfare of a child by allowing dangerous priests to continue in the ministry in roles in which they had access to children, and one count of conspiracy to protect a priest accused of abuse.

If convicted, Lynn could be sentenced to up to 21 years in prison.

Also on trial is the Rev. James Brennan, who faces charges of attempted rape of a 14-year-old boy, endangering the welfare of a child and other counts.

The verdict is expected to be announced in court at 2 p.m. ET.

On Wednesday, the jury reported that it was unable to reach a verdict on four of five charges in the high-profile case. Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina ordered jurors to keep deliberating, according to a source with direct knowledge of the case.

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Filed under: Church Abuse • Courts • Crime • Justice • Religion
soundoff (49 Responses)
  1. Frank

    People of the United States of America,
    I will bet the verdict is guilty,put the priestt away for 20 years to make send a message to the others.
    I am Catholic an have no problem sending a priest to prison for crimes against children

    June 22, 2012 at 1:54 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Frank

    People of the United States of America,
    I will bet the verdict is guilty,put the priest away for 20 years to make send a message to the others.
    I am Catholic an have no problem sending a priest to prison for crimes against children

    June 22, 2012 at 1:55 pm | Report abuse |
  3. PEDO BEAR

    I read this in the paper this morning: New York City has a priest shortage. So you see, there is some good news in the world. To give you an idea how bad it is, earlier today in Brooklyn an alter boy had to grope himself.

    June 22, 2012 at 2:08 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      *Facepalm*

      June 22, 2012 at 7:29 pm | Report abuse |
  4. saywhat

    @Pedo Bear
    That is about it. No more to be said.

    June 22, 2012 at 2:19 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Rascal Rabble

    what kinner "test" are we talkinabout?

    June 22, 2012 at 4:38 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Portland tony

    @rascal: @A mom had it right. No relationship between gays
    and child abuse. There you go..
    One less reason for being a.bigot!

    June 22, 2012 at 5:25 pm | Report abuse |
  7. banasy©

    I had problems posting, yes I did, Mmmmm hmmmm, so I posted 'test' to see if I could post.

    June 22, 2012 at 5:26 pm | Report abuse |
  8. banasy©

    Well, are we going to find out or not?

    June 22, 2012 at 7:27 pm | Report abuse |
  9. fernace

    Well, where's the partial verdict & what was it??

    June 22, 2012 at 9:55 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Rascal Rabble

    boy...i feel like i'm in time out...y'all need to stop deleting mie comments...

    June 22, 2012 at 9:59 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Scheherazade

    Crusty old man is GUILTY!!!!!!!

    June 22, 2012 at 11:10 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Philip

    It doesn't take a [nazi] scientist to figure iut that after the last "axis of evil" nation falls, there will be but ONE enemy remaining: Organized Religions, who, theoughout written human histroy have been at the FOREFRONT of mankind's needless wars.
    Write your Congressperson. "Abolish Organized Religions". Since yours is true, you have nothng to fear.

    June 22, 2012 at 11:59 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Avg. churchgoer

    @Philip. OK. We abolish organized religions who ra pe boys and cater to governments on both sides of the ine of war.
    Then what? Will God actually so what the bible claims he WILL do when human governments outlaw worshipping God together?
    Since I am you I will answer for both you and I. "Yes". ONLY God's true chilkdren will continue tio gather themselves together after religion has been outlawed.
    And, when governments see that just one religion remains in defiance of their ban on religion, it will be as if a punk man had tried tio stub his finger in the very eye of God. (knee&pjerk reaction God wipes-out ALL of his enemies. Enemies of God's TRUE cildren. gn, and ty.

    June 23, 2012 at 12:09 am | Report abuse |
  14. Philip

    The God of US President Obama's bible desires that ALL men look Him square in the eye at the end if each day.
    Your desire may differ, by law.

    June 23, 2012 at 12:34 am | Report abuse |
  15. HIDE BEHIND

    When a religion becomes legal, it is of the earth, religion has no law except their creators.
    To even acccept a tax exemption is to aquiece to the power of state over church: "Whos' face is upon this coin?"
    I gond mo place on What passes for New Testament that says man shall set up his creators government.
    In some Old Hebrew sects their Messiah, a man chosen by unkowanle and not to be pronounced, creator would set up a kingdom

    June 23, 2012 at 12:35 am | Report abuse |
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