Jury Working 4th Day in Philly Priest-Abuse Case

By Maryclaire Dale
Daily Times
June 6, 2012

http://delcotimes.com/articles/2012/06/06/news/doc4fcf81052450e854909673.txt


PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia jury has deliberated a fourth day without reaching a verdict in a major clergy-abuse case.

Jurors are set to return Thursday after asking many questions this week.

Monsignor William Lynn is the first U.S. church official charged with crimes for his handling of priest sex-abuse complaints. He's charged with conspiracy and child endangerment for his actions as secretary of clergy at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The Rev. James Brennan is charged with molesting a teen in 1996.

The jury on Wednesday asked the judge to define the term "agreement" under conspiracy law and asked if conspirators have to know that what they're planning is a crime.

The judge says they do not. However, child endangerment has to be done knowingly.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia jury wants definitions for the terms "pedophile" and "ephebophile" as it deliberates in a major clergy-abuse case.

Jurors also want the definition of the word "agreement" under conspiracy law.

Dictionary definitions suggest pedophilia is a perverse sexual interest in children, while ephebophilia refers to an adult's sexual interest in teens. But medical definitions can vary.

And it's not clear the jury will get any definitions, because they aren't part of the trial evidence.

The jury is taking a lunch break while a judge works on responses to the questions.

Monsignor William Lynn is the first U.S. church official charged with crimes for his handling of abuse complaints at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The Rev. James Brennan is charged with molesting a teen in 1996.