Conviction reversed in clergy sex-abuse case

PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Detroit Free Press

PHILADELPHIA — A Catholic Church official will have to fight for bail in Philadelphia after his novel conviction in the priest-abuse scandal was thrown out.

Msgr. William Lynn has served 18 months in prison after a jury found he endangered a boy by helping protect a predator priest. But an appeals court overturned the child endangerment conviction Thursday, saying Lynn was not legally responsible for the boy’s welfare.

Lynn’s lawyers hoped the 62-year-old would go free, but the Superior Court instead sent the bail issue back to the trial court.

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams pledged to oppose bail and appeal the ruling.

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