Priest Sex Abuse Case

Money Is Motivating Phila. Priest Sex-Abuse Claims, Says Defense Attorney

It was attack and counterattack in a Philadelphia courtroom, as another case of alleged clergy sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia begins.

2013/01/14

(Msgr. William Lynn was convicted of child endangerment. Edward Avery pleaded guilty to molesting a boy. Photos from Phila. PD)

2012 Year in Review: The Philadelphia Clergy Child Sex Abuse Case

The trial evidence — a lot of it from the church’s own secret files — exposed sins committed over a period of decades by supposed men of God.

2012/12/27

Child Sex Abuse Charges Reinstated Against Philadelphia Priest

“The defendant forced the child, when he was approximately nine years old, to engage in a sexual activity, obviously without his consent,” the prosecutor says.

2012/10/02

(credit: Philadelphia Police Department)

Clergy Sex Abuse Trial Part 2 Delayed Indefinitely

The trial of two men, a priest and a lay teacher has been delayed indefinitely, because one of the defense attorneys suffered a death in the family and will be unavailable for several days.

2012/09/04

3-6 Years in Prison For Monsignor Lynn

In a harshly worded statement, Judge Teresa Sarmina said that Msgr. William Lynn had allowed “monsters” in priestly garb to continue their crimes of assaulting children.

2012/07/24

(Msgr. William Lynn, with his attorneys, in file photo. Credit: Steve Tawa)

Sentencing Day For Monsignor William Lynn

Prosecutors are asking that the maximum sentence be imposed on Monsignor William Lynn, who was convicted of felony child endangerment.

2012/07/24

Philadelphia Monsignor Convicted Of Endangering Child

A Philadelphia jury today convicted Msgr. William Lynn on one count of child endangerment. No verdicts were returned regarding a co-defendant in the case, Father James Brennan.

2012/06/22

Philadelphia Jury Says It Is ‘Hung’ On Most Counts In Priest Sex Abuse Trial

The jury in the Philadelphia priest sex abuse case told the judge on the 12th day of deliberations that they are unable to reach a verdict on four of the five charges in this landmark case.

2012/06/20

Life Intrudes On Philadelphia Jury Weighing Priest Sex Abuse Case

The jury won’t deliberate this Friday. They’ll resume late on Monday, and won’t work next Wednesday or Friday if they have still not reached verdicts by then.

2012/06/07

Jurors in Philadelphia Priest Sex Abuse Trial Ask Questions During Deliberation

Jurors sought clarification on the word “and” specific to legal issues. Attorneys for the defense and prosecution could not agree on a response.

2012/06/04

Jury Deliberations Resume In Clergy Sex Abuse Trial

Jury deliberations resumed Monday morning in the clergy sexual abuse case.

2012/06/04

Monsignor Says He’s Sorry But Blameless For Teen’s Abuse By Pedophile Priest

Msgr. William Lynn maintains he was powerless to change the church’s practices for dealing with predator priests. As he put it at one point, he was “not the cardinal archbishop of Philadelphia.”

2012/05/29

(Msgr. William Lynn, on his way into court with his attorney last April. Credit: Steve Tawa)

Msgr. Lynn Takes Witness Stand For Third Day

Monsignor William Lynn, charged with endangering children by protecting suspected predator priests, is expected back on the witness stand for a third day, today, when the clergy sexual abuse case continues.

2012/05/29

Msgr. Lynn On Bevilacqua’s Policy: Only Diagnosed Pedophiles Were Removed

In the clergy child sexual abuse case, Monsignor William Lynn blames the late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua for allowing predator priests to remain in ministry.

2012/05/25

Philadelphia Monsignor Grilled on Witness Stand At Child Sex Abuse Trial

Prosecutor Patrick Blessington asserted again and again that Monsignor William Lynn has lied — to victims, to parishioners, to nuns and priests, and to the police, all to protect predator priests and to avoid negative publicity and legal action.

2012/05/24