PHILADELPHIA (PA)
The Wall Street Journal
By Peter Loftus
Frayed nerves and confusion abounded in a Philadelphia courtroom, as jury deliberations continued in the case of a Roman Catholic monsignor charged with failing to protect children from alleged molestation by priests.
The tension erupted late Thursday afternoon in the trial of Monsignor William Lynn, who served as a personnel director of priests in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 1992 to 2004 and was responsible for investigating abuse allegations.
Outside the jury’s presence, Assistant District Attorney Patrick Blessington was addressing Judge Teresa Sarmina when he was interrupted by Msgr. Lynn’s defense attorney, Thomas Bergstrom.
“No! No! No! No! Enough! Sit down!” Mr. Blessington shouted, pointing at Mr. Bergstrom a few feet away. Mr. Blessington volunteered that he has seen “better manners in a barnyard” than those of Mr. Bergstrom and other defense attorneys for Msgr. Lynn.
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