PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer
By John P. Martin
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Philadelphia prosecutors said Monday they planned to retry James J. Brennan, the former Archdiocese of Philadelphia parish priest accused to trying to rape a 14-year-old boy in 1996.
“James Brennan used his position as a priest to prey upon and victimize this young man,” District Attorney Seth Williams said. “It is extremely important that Brennan be held accountable for his crime, not just for his victim but for all victims of sexual abuse.”
Brennan, 48, was one of two defendants in the unprecedented trial about clergy-sex abuse in the archdiocese.
Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina declared a mistrial in Brennan’s case when jurors deliberated 13 days but couldn’t reach verdicts on attempted rape and endangerment charges against him.
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