PHILADELPHIA (PA)
My Fox Philly
By Kristen Byrne
PHILADELPHIA –
A decision has yet to be made on whether a Roman Catholic official convicted of child endangerment will be released on house arrest until his sentencing hearing.
Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina indicated she might release Monsignor William Lynn on house arrest while he awaits sentencing if the Vatican agrees they will not harbor him in the event he flees the country.
Lynn’s defense insists he’s not a flight risk and want him on house arrest while he awaits his sentencing. His passport was surrendered to the court on Tuesday.
“Get the hell out of here, he’s not going to the Vatican,” defense attorney Tom Bergstrom said after the hearing. “That’s ridiculous.”
The prosecution argued for Lynn to stay in jail, citing an article that 35 priests have fled during criminal cases. However, most of these were before their criminal trial.
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