Life Intrudes on Philadelphia Jury Weighing Priest Sex Abuse Case

By Tony Hanson
CBS Philly
June 7, 2012

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/06/07/life-intrudes-on-philadelphia-jury-weighing-priest-sex-abuse-case/


Developments in the Philadelphia clergy sexual abuse case, which started in late March, suggest that the jury is settling in for the long haul.

Jurors will be getting some time off because of personal commitments — namely, graduations of family members.

The jury has been deliberating a week so far, and a scheduling conference has revealed that the jury will not work tomorrow.

And they’ll start late on Monday, and won’t work on Wednesday if they have still not reached verdicts by then.

And next Friday is out, too, because the judge has a scheduling conflict.

Jurors are considering charges against Monsignor William Lynn — that he endangered children by allowing two priests to remain in ministry despite alleged evidence of past misconduct. One of those priests, codefendant James Brennan, has denied he subsequently tried to rape a teenage boy.

The other priest, now defrocked, is former codefendant Edward Avery who, before the trial began, pleaded guilty to charges of sexually assaulting another teen and is now in prison.

Monsignor Lynn, who testified in his own behalf, said he did what he could but was limited in his role as as Secretary for Clergy of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.