Coroner examined late Philadelphia cardinal’s body

    A county coroner says he examined the body of late Philadelphia Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua at the request of prosecutors because of the odd timing of his death a day after he was found competent to testify at a high-profile church sex abuse trial.

    Montgomery County Coroner Walter Hofman says county prosecutors contacted him after the 88-year-old Bevilacqua died Jan. 31 at a Wynnewood seminary.

    Hofman tells The Philadelphia Inquirer he didn’t conduct an autopsy but did see Bevilacqua’s body and order toxicology tests.

    Church officials say Bevilacqua was suffering from cancer and dementia.

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    Before he died a Philadelphia judge ruled Bevilacqua competent to testify at the child endangerment trial of Monsignor William Lynn. Philadelphia prosecutors say they had nothing to do with ordering the review.

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