Judge Says Bevilacqua Memo Doesn't Destroy Case Against Msgr. Lynn
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A municipal judge today rejected a defense motion to dismiss the child endangerment case against Philadelphia priest Msgr. William Lynn because of newly discovered evidence in the clergy abuse case.
Lynn is charged with endangering children by allowing predator priests to remain in ministry, thereby giving them access to abuse more children.
But the defense cited new evidence -- a memo that the late cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua ordered the shredding of a list of problem priests. The defense suggested that Lynn was not "in the loop" of the decision making that protected the priests.
But the judge has rejected the motion after hearing from the prosecution.
In court, assistant DA Patrick Blessington accused the defense of filing the frivolous motion in a blatant attempt to pollute the jury pool. The defense denied that.
Jury selection began last week. Lynn has pleaded not guilty.
