Retrial of Philadelphia priest ends in another mistrial; DA to decide next month on 3rd trial

The Republic
March 11, 2015

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/b505d8f745c44139907cd0acb06f4e7d/PA--Priest-Abuse-Charges

PHILADELPHIA — The retrial of a suspended Philadelphia priest accused of having molested a young boy almost two decades ago has once again ended in a hung jury.

The Philadelphia Inquirer (http://bit.ly/1AgAfv2 ) reports that jurors were unable to reach agreement Wednesday on the charges against The Rev. Andrew McCormick.

McCormick was accused of having assaulted an 11-year-old altar boy in a Bridesburg rectory bedroom in 1997. The now-27-year-old victim alleges that the abuse later led him to attempt suicide. McCormick has denied the allegations.

Jurors began deliberating Friday and said they were deadlocked Tuesday, but tried to reach agreement again Wednesday without success.

Prosecutors must decide by April 10 whether to try the 58-year-old defendant for a third time.

Last year, a jury deliberated for four days without reaching a verdict.