Priest's Attacker Acquitted after Harrowing Testimony

By Terry Collins, San Jose
WA Today
July 7, 2012

http://www.watoday.com.au/world/priests-attacker-acquitted-after-harrowing-testimony-20120706-21mhg.html

Acquitted: William Lynch, centre, is flanked by his lawyers after being found not guilty of bashing a retired priest who he alleges raped him. Photo: AP

A US jury has acquitted a man who bashed a priest he says brutally raped him as a child more than three decades ago.

William Lynch acknowledged punching Jerold Lindner several times in 2010 at a retirement home, but he pleaded not guilty. He said the abuse had left him with tormented memories that led to alcohol abuse and depression.

Lynch said he hoped to use the case to publicly shame Lindner and to highlight abuse in the Catholic Church.

Even though the Jesuits have doled out millions of dollars to settle cases brought by Lindner's alleged victims, the priest was never prosecuted because Lynch and others reported the abuse after the brief window of opportunity set by the statute of limitations at the time slammed shut.

A US jury has acquitted a man who bashed a priest he says brutally raped him as a child more than three decades ago.

William Lynch acknowledged punching Jerold Lindner several times in 2010 at a retirement home, but he pleaded not guilty. He said the abuse had left him with tormented memories that led to alcohol abuse and depression.

Lynch said he hoped to use the case to publicly shame Lindner and to highlight abuse in the Catholic Church.

Even though the Jesuits have doled out millions of dollars to settle cases brought by Lindner's alleged victims, the priest was never prosecuted because Lynch and others reported the abuse after the brief window of opportunity set by the statute of limitations at the time slammed shut.