PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelpha Inquirer
[with poll: Should Msgr. Lynn get some time in prison?]
By John P. Martin
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Lawyers for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia priest convicted of child endangerment today urged a judge to spare him from prison, arguing that Msgr. William J. Lynn poses no danger to the public, has led a life of service and already endured unprecedented “public scrutiny, shaming and vilification.”
Their motion, filed in advance of Lynn’s sentencing next week, also notes that two-thirds of the Pennsylvanians sentenced for the same felony since 1996 have received county prison terms or less.
Lynn deserves the same, they said.
“A sentence of time-served, probation, work release or house arrest would ensure that Msgr. Lynn can still use his priestly gifts to improve the lives of those around him,” lawyers Thomas Bergstrom and Jeffrey Lindy said in their filing.
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