Pa. Church Official Wants New Judge, Alleges Bias

By Maryclaire Dale
Centre Daily Times
February 8, 2012

http://www.centredaily.com/2012/02/08/3083140/pa-church-official-wants-new-judge.html

PHILADELPHIA — A Roman Catholic church official wants a judge to step down before his child-endangerment trial because of her recent remarks about the child sex-abuse scandal.

Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Teresa Sarmina suggested in court that the priest-abuse scandal is "widespread." At a pretrial hearing, she said those who think otherwise are "living on another planet."

Sarmina is presiding over the groundbreaking conspiracy and child-endangerment case of Monsignor William Lynn.

The 61-year-old Lynn is the first U.S. church official charged for allegedly keeping predator-priests in ministry. He faces up to 28 years if convicted on all charges.

Sarmina did not immediately return a call for comment.

Lynn's defense lawyers filed a recusal motion Wednesday that calls her "obviously partial" to prosecutors.

Jury selection is set to start Feb. 21.