Philadelphia D.A. will prosecute priest again

A former Philadelphia parish priest accused of trying to rape a 14-year-old boy in 1996 will be tried again.  Last month a jury couldn’t reach a verdict in the case against James Brennan. 

The jury could not reach a verdict on the two counts against James Brennan, and now he will be retried.  Brennan’s accuser took the stand, accusing Brennan of assaulting him when he was a 14-year-old boy in 1996.  The 30 year old man broke into tears a numbers of times while describing the molestation he alleges he suffered at Brennan’s hands.  The accuser said in the years after the encounter with Brennan, his grades fell and he used drugs and alcohol.  Brennan’s lawyer attempted to question the accuser’s credibility, mentioning his struggle with mental health issues and substance abuse.  

Monsignor William Lynn drew much of the attention in the landmark priest abuse case.  Lynn, the former secretary for clergy, was found guilty of one count of endangering the welfare of a child.  Jurors found Lynn not guilty on two other charges and will learn his sentence tomorrow.