Accused Philadelphia priests return to court for abuse charges
Update: The Philadelphia Inquirer has updates on today’s hearing, in which defense lawyers for the men argued some of the charges and bail conditions. Another hearing is scheduled for July, at which point the judge will determine whether Lynn should be charged with child endangerment for his role in reassigning abusive priests, and whether all of the defendents should be charged with conspiracy.
Rejected today was a request by Engelhardt to have his bail conditions altered so that he may go back and forth from Sea Isle City to visit relatives at the Shore.
Original report: William Lynn, Bernard Shero, James Brennan, Edward Avery and Charles Engelhardt will return to court today for a preliminary hearing based on the sexual abuse and concealment charges against them.
After being named in a grand jury report, the fiven men — a teacher, three priests and a monsignor with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia — pleaded not guilty in April to various counts of committing and concealing sexual abuse against minors.
Check back with us for coverage of today’s hearing.
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