PHILADELPHIA (PA)
NBC Philadelphia
An imprisoned ex-priest at the center of a landmark Roman Catholic priest-abuse case in Philadelphia says he pleaded guilty to a crime he didn’t commit.
Seventy-year-old Edward Avery testified Thursday that he never touched his accuser but feared a long sentence if convicted at trial.
The same accuser says he was raped by Avery, the Rev. Charles Engelhardt and ex-teacher Bernard Shero in about 1999.
Engelhardt and Shero are on trial.
Avery’s testimony could bolster the defense. But prosecutors note that Avery still faces a civil suit and harassment in prison.
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