Philly Monsignor Says Priest Lied about Abuse

San Francisco Chronicle
September 18, 2012

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Philly-monsignor-says-priest-lied-about-abuse-3873244.php

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Lawyers for a jailed Roman Catholic monsignor say Philadelphia prosecutors had "compelling reasons to doubt" a guilty plea that underpins their client's conviction in a landmark priest abuse trial.

The lawyers say defrocked priest Edward Avery may have pleaded guilty to abusing a boy he'd never met because the plea offer was a safer than going to trial and perhaps facing other accusers.

Avery's plea is a key issue in the groundbreaking child-endangerment case against Monsignor William Lynn. Jurors convicted Lynn of endangering Avery's victim by leaving Avery in ministry despite an earlier sex-abuse complaint.

Lynn apologized on the witness stand to Avery's victim. He's now serving a three- to six-year prison term but is seeking bail while he appeals.