Brennan to Be Retried in Priest-Abuse Case

By Shannon McDonald
The Newsworks
July 23, 2012

www.newsworks.org/index.php/the-feed/item/41794-brennan-to-be-retried-in-priest-abuse-case

After a jury was unable to reach a verdict last month, Rev. James Brennan will be retried in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia priest-abuse case.

"James Brennan used his position as a priest to prey upon and victimize this young man," District Attorney Seth Williams said of the retrial. "It is extremely important that Brennan be held accountable for his crime, not just for his victim but for all victims of sexual abuse."

Brennan was tried for an attempted sexual assault on a boy in the mid-90s, and went to trial earlier this year with Monsignor William Lynn, who was found guilty of child endangerment.

Brennan and Lynn were among two other priests and a parochial school teacher named in a 2011 grand jury report by alleged victims of sexual abuse.

Brennan is due in court Aug. 14.