Philadelphia DA Irate That Archdiocese Posted Msgr. Lynn's Bail
By Jim Melwert and Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Monsignor William Lynn could be out of prison as early as tomorrow, after his bail was posted.
Last night, Philadelphia district attorney Seth Williams lashed out at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for posting at least part of Lynn's bail (see related story).
The DA said that as a Catholic and as a prosecutor, he is disgusted by the church's action.
"It wasn't just some misguided philanthropist that gave $25,000 to William Lynn to get out of jail -- it was the archdiocese itself," Williams said.
In an e-mail, the archdiocese said it "assisted with the posting of bail" for Lynn.
Lynn has already served 18 months of a 3-6 year prison term on a conviction of child endangerment. But Pennsylvania Superior Court overturned that conviction, saying he was tried under a law that didn't apply to him at the time.
As conditions of his bail, Lynn had to surrender his passport and will wear an ankle bracelet for electronic monitoring.
The state prison in Waymart, Pa. says that Philadelphia sheriff's deputies will take the 160-mile drive up the Northeast Extension of the turnpike to fetch Lynn. But his defense lawyer says a private contractor who will strap on the ankle bracelet for electronic monitoring is still working on the logistics.
Lynn's attorney, Thomas Bergstrom, says his client could be returned as early as Thursday, or as late as sometime next week, as they coordinate Lynn's appearance before Judge Teresa Sarmina.
Sarmina was the presiding judge at trial, and she wants Lynn to stand before her so she can personally communicate conditions for his release.
