Church Official Seeks Bail after New Trial Granted

York Daily Record
July 28, 2016

http://www.ydr.com/story/news/crime/2016/07/27/church-official-seeks-bail-after-new-trial-granted/87643986/

Monsignor William Lynn, a Roman Catholic priest who was the first U.S. church official convicted over the handling of priest-abuse complaints, could soon leave prison after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed Tuesday that his conviction was flawed.

A former Philadelphia church official imprisoned over his handling of abuse complaints is seeking bail after Pennsylvania's highest court granted him a new trial.

Monsignor William Lynn has served nearly three years of his three- to six-year sentence for child endangerment. He's due to be paroled in October.

But defense lawyer Thomas Bergstrom filed a bail petition Wednesday seeking the immediate release of the 65-year-old Roman Catholic priest.

The state Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed the trial judge had allowed too much testimony from church victims not directly linked to Lynn's case.

Prosecutors say that Lynn helped the archdiocese cover up abuse complaints and transfer problem priests to new parishes.

A spokesman says District Attorney Seth Williams hasn't decided whether to retry the case or oppose bail.