Jury Selection Nears in Philly Church-Abuse Case

The Newsworks
February 15, 2012

www.newsworks.org/index.php/local//item/34049-priests/

Monsignor William Lynn is set for his final pretrial hearing today before jury selection start in his landmark priest-abuse case.

Lynn is the first U.S. church official charged with child endangerment and conspiracy for allegedly transferring problem priests to unsuspecting parishes. He served as secretary for clergy in Philadelphia from 1992 to 2004.

He will be tried along with Fr. James Brennand and ex-priest Edward Avery, both charged with rape.
All three have pleaded not guilty.

Defense lawyers say Lynn took orders from Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua. The 88-year-old cardinal died two weeks ago, one day after a judge found him competent to testify.

Jury selection could take weeks, and the trial several months.