US Monsignor Seeks Release from Prison to Await Sentencing As Lawyers Plan Appeal

By Maryclaire Dale
Edmonton Journal
June 30, 2012

www.edmontonjournal.com/news/monsignor+seeks+release+from+prison+await+sentencing+lawyers+plan/6867612/story.html

FILE - In this June 19, 2012 file photo, Monsignor William Lynn walks to the Criminal Justice Center, in Philadelphia. Lynn was charged and convicted with child endangerment. The 10-year criminal investigation of priest-abuse in the Philadelphia archdiocese didn't end with Lynn's conviction. Another priest and ex-Catholic school teacher are set to be tried on rape charges in the fall, and the conviction could bolster related civil litigation.

PHILADELPHIA - Lawyers for the first U.S. Roman Catholic church official ever charged for his handling of sex abuse claims will push to have him released on house arrest before his sentencing for felony child endangerment.

Lawyers for Monsignor William Lynn plan to argue Thursday that he has a good chance of having his conviction thrown out on appeal.

The 61-year-old priest has been held since he was convicted June 22. He faces up to seven years in prison at his sentencing in August.

Lynn oversaw clergy abuse complaints at the Philadelphia archdiocese from 1992 to 2004.

The lawyers say the endangerment law shouldn't apply to Lynn because he never "supervised" any individual children.