Deliberations start in Philly priest-abuse trial

    Jury deliberations have begun in the Philadelphia trial of a Roman Catholic church official charged with endangering children by keeping predator-priests in ministry.

    Monsignor William Lynn is the first U.S. church official charged for his handling of the abuse complaints.
    Jurors have heard from more than dozen alleged victims. They include a nun, a former priest and young adults with drug and alcohol problems.

    Lynn says he tried to get the Philadelphia archdiocese to address the problem, only to be rebuffed by the late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua.

    But prosecutors say Lynn could have quit or called police.

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    Lynn is charged with conspiracy and two counts of child endangerment.

    The Rev. James Brennan, a co-defendant, is charged with molesting a teen in 1996. His lawyer calls the accuser a con man.

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