Defense to Start in Philly Priest-Abuse Trial

NECN
May 22, 2012

http://www.necn.com/05/22/12/Defense-to-start-in-Philly-priest-abuse-/landing_nation.html?&apID=04dca14101254c24a2c82e47a257a8d8

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The defense is set to start Tuesday in the trial of a former Roman Catholic church official charged with helping cover-up child sex-abuse complaints in the Philadelphia archdiocese.

Monsignor William Lynn has been on trial for eight weeks. The prosecution evidence included testimony from more than a dozen people who say they were abused by priests.

Jurors have also seen hundreds of internal church documents found in secret archives.

The 61-year-old Lynn is the first U.S. church official charged for his handling of abuse complaints. Defense lawyers argue that he took orders from the late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua.

The trial is expected to last about two more weeks.

Defense lawyers say they haven't decided if Lynn will testify. He served as secretary of clergy in Philadelphia from 1992 to 2004.