Accuser testifies against Brennan during priest-abuse trial

    A priest on trial in a landmark child sex abuse case is expected to face his accuser in a Philadelphia courtroom.

    The Rev. James Brennan is charged with raping a 14-year-old boy in 1996. That accuser is expected to take the stand today.

    Update, 1:10 p.m. WHYY/NewsWorks’ Lizz Fiedler has returned from court, which is in recess.
    Part of this morning’s testimony included what Lizz described as an uncomfortable conversation among the judge and attorneys following the alleged victim’s description of Brennan “spooning” him. Brennan’s lawyer asked the prosecution to explain the victim’s accusation of Brennan approaching him from behind.

    Lizz will have more on the testimony on NewsWorks Tonight at 6 p.m. on WHYY-FM 90.9.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    Brennan is on trial with Monsignor William Lynn, who is the first Roman Catholic official in the U.S. charged with endangering children for allegedly keeping predator priests in parish work. Both have pleaded not guilty.

    Brennan’s lawyers claim the accuser has convictions for theft and filing a false police report and allege he called Brennan when he needed to do court-ordered community service.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal