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	Priest Fights Back against Sex Charge My Fox Philly March 17, 2011 http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/priest-fights-back-against-sex-charge [with video] Father James Brennan is one of four Philadelphia priests named in a Grand Jury indictment about sexual abuse in the Archdiocese. But now Brennan and his lawyer are fighting back in an aggressive media campaign. Brennan says he's innocent and his lawyer is going after his his client's accuser. Brennan priest spoke on 1210 radio on "The Chris Stigall Show" and said he deserved a fair hearing. In all, 21 priests are suspended, all connected to a grand jury report on priest sex abuse and cover-ups. The report named 37 priests in all, but some were already placed on leave. Some were no longer priests or had moved to other cities. Some of the abuse claims date back at least 50 years. Fox 29s Dave Schratwieser spoke with the attorney for Brennan, and lawyer Richard Desipio have come out swinging . Desipio is promising some very tough cross examination for Brennan's accuser, who is now 29. He says court documents indicate the young man making these serious allegations has some legal problems of his own. Desipio will challenge his credibility. "If this guy went to sell you a car or sell you house, he's a realtor and you realized his background. You would run," he said. "Are we supposed to lock up a man and make him stand trial for rape based on this accuser?" Brennan has asked the court for a preliminary hearing on these charges. Desipio wants to challenge the allegations, challenge the testimony and try to get this case dismissed before it can go to trial. Desipio claims this young man is the only witness to these alleged acts and he plans to raise some serious questions about the man's credibility. Fox 29 also spoke with Tom Bergstrom, the attorney for Monsignor William Lynn. Bergstrom said he has every intention to go to trial, fighting the charges and he hopes, win the case.
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