Jury Hears Of Father James Brennan's Tormented Past
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The jury in the clergy abuse case hears evidence of a troubled past for defendant Father James Brennan, who is charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in 1996. The defendant has pleaded not guilty. Jury Hears Of Father James Brennan's Tormented Past
Documents from the church's secret archives depict a man haunted by abuse from his childhood. Father James Brennan, ordained in 1989, and in 1996 with allegations he was living with a young man in his official residence known to the archdiocese, he sought a leave of absence from his priestly duties.
Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua later recounted that Brennan said an inner conflict was tormenting him. He was struggling with turmoil in his life dating back to his childhood, when he was sexually abused by four boys for years, although years later he allegedly denied he was abused. But it was during this one year leave, that he allegedly sexually assaulted the teen.
The defense will cross-examine an investigator on these documents today.
