Day 6: More questions from Philly priest-abuse jury

    Questions suggest a Philadelphia jury may be far from a verdict in a groundbreaking clergy-abuse case.

    The jury wants transcripts of the church trial of the Rev. James Brennan. He’s charged with trying to rape a teen in 1996. But rules of evidence prevent them from getting the transcript.
    Brennan’s 2008 church trial involves the same accuser. His status as a priest is pending at the Vatican.

    Monsignor William Lynn is also on trial over his handling of priest-abuse complaints.

    The jury has also asked if the behavior underlying child-endangerment charges must be criminal. Both defendants are charged with that crime.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    The judge has said the behavior may be criminal, but isn’t always. For instance, not feeding a child is not a crime, but can become one over time.

    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