PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer
By John P. Martin
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Msgr. William J. Lynn lost a bid today to get out of jail before being sentenced for child endangerment but persuaded a judge to move his sentencing hearing up by three weeks.
After barely 10 minutes of discussion, Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina sided with Philadelphia prosecutors who said Lynn, the first Catholic church supervisor convicted for enabling clergy sex-abuse, should stay in prison because he is a flight risk.
The former secretary for clergy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia faces up to seven years in prison. Sarmina moved up his sentencing to July 24, from Aug. 13.
Lynn’s relatives and supporters packed the courtroom for the bail hearing, the second since Lynn was convicted and jailed on June 22. A few gasped when the judge announced her decision.
Lynn, sitting at the defense table in black priestly garb without a clerical collar, didn’t appear to react. One of his lawyers, Jeffrey Lindy, patted the monsignor’s back.
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