Philly Jury Returns Monday in Priest-abuse Case

Pottstown Mercury
March 7, 2014

http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20140307/philly-jury-returns-monday-in-priest-abuse-case

The Rev. Andrew McCormick gets into a car outside the center for criminal justice Thursday, March 6, 2014, in Philadelphia. The Roman Catholic priest accused of molesting an altar boy briefly took the stand Wednesday to deny the 1997 encounter, but acknowledged being reprimanded twice for having children in his private living quarters. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

A Philadelphia jury has deliberated for more than a day in a Philadelphia priest-abuse case without reaching a verdict.

The jury returns Monday to continue weighing charges against the Rev. Andrew McCormick.

The 26-year-old accuser says he was molested in 1997, after his mother talked to the priest over concerns her 10-year-old son was gay.

McCormick denies the account. The 57-year-old priest has been on trial for about two weeks.

His lawyer notes that no one else has ever accused McCormick of child sexual abuse.

However, McCormick has been suspended from ministry over a complaint about his closeness with another altar boy.

Jurors say they have a question for the judge when they return to court Monday.

The case involves an alleged encounter at St. John Cantius in northeast Philadelphia.