PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer
By John P. Martin and Joseph A. Slobodzian
INQUIRER STAFF WRITERS
After spending two days asking the judge to explain complex questions about the law, jurors at the clergy-sex abuse trial apparently can’t even agree on the meaning of “agree.”
On Wednesday, the panel asked Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina for a definition of the word. They also wanted evidence related to 13 accused priests who were mentioned during the 11-week trial, and for definitions of the terms “pedophile” and “ephebophile.”
The requests marked the third time in as many days of deliberations that the panel of seven men and five women has sought guidance or evidence as they weigh the child endangerment and other charges against Msgr. William J. Lynn and the Rev. James J. Brennan.
The judge, prosecutors and defense lawyers planned to take the lunch break to hash out the answers. Sarmina asked that jurors be brought to her courtroom at 2:05 p. m.
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