PHILADELPHIA (PA)
ABC News
By JOANN LOVIGLIO Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA July 5, 2012 (AP)
A Roman Catholic official convicted of child endangerment will remain behind bars until his sentencing later this month, a judge ruled Thursday, denying a defense request for house arrest.
Monsignor William Lynn has been in custody since a jury convicted him June 22 of the charge, which stemmed from his handling of sex abuse claims at the Philadelphia archdiocese.
Lynn, 61, is the first U.S. Catholic church official convicted in the cover-up of child sex-abuse complaints. He faces 3 1/2 to seven years in prison.
“After due consideration, the motion is denied,” Common Pleas Judge M. Teresa Sarmina, who presided over Lynn’s three-month jury trial, said at the brief hearing that was packed with the monsignor’s friends and family. She did approve a defense request to move up Lynn’s sentencing date from Aug. 13 to July 24. …
A national support group for sexual abuse victims praised the judge’s decision to keep Lynn in prison.
“Some may view this decision as harsh. We consider it just and smart,” said Barbara Blaine, president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. “And we hope it will help end current cover-ups and deter future cover-ups by Catholic officials across the country.”
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