Cases Conclude in Clergy Sex Abuse Trial

By Steve Tawa
CBS Philly
June 1, 2012

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/06/01/cases-conclude-in-clergy-sex-abuse-trial/

Msgr. William Lynn, on his way into court with his attorney last April.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — After all-day closing arguments on Thursday, the judge in the landmark clergy child sex abuse case was expected to charge the jury on Friday morning, followed by deliberations.

The lead defendant, Monsignor William Lynn, is the first U-S Roman Catholic church official to be charged criminally with child endangerment.

Defense lawyer Thomas Bergstrom told jurors like the play and movie '12 Angry Men,' this case was about 'reasonable doubt,' and it's an enormous safeguard in the justice system.

He told jurors if they 'hesitate' after listening to the judge's charge on that point, Monsignor Lynn should be acquitted on two counts of child endangerment and conspiracy. Bergstrom argued prosecutors were seeking to convict Lynn for 'documenting the evil that other men did.'

The defense claimed the late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua had the final say on priest placements.

Assistant District Attorney Patrick Blessington called that a 'blatant attempt to deceive jurors and misrepresent the law.' He contended Lynn kept pedophile priests in ministry and the public in the dark.

Blessington said rather than call police or quit, Lynn, whom he sarcastically described as 'our hero,' tried to 'protect the institution' – the Catholic church – 'at the expense of children being exposed to sexual assault by priests.'