Judge rejects motion for separate trials in Philadelphia church sexual abuse case

A judge in Philadelphia has ruled that the defendants in a Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal case will be tried together–not separately. 

 

Common Pleas Judge Lillian Ransom rejected a request from defense lawyers and ruled that the five defendants–Monsignor William Lynn, two priests, a former priest and a former Catholic school teacher–will stand trial together.Lynn is the only U.S. church official ever charged criminally in the sex-abuse scandal for transferring alleged sexual abusers to unsuspecting parishes.  At least a dozen supporters hugged and greeted him after the court appearance.  Some were in tears.   None were willing to be interviewed.  Lynn, who was placed on administrative leave, was once a high-ranking archdiocesean official.  Until he was charged, he was the parish priest at Saint Joseph’s in Downingtown. Judge Ransom is dismissing some conspiracy charges connecting the defendants.  But she allowed the most severe ones to move forward.

 

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