Judge denies mistrial, Philly priest jury back at work

A Philadelphia priest accused of molesting a teen won’t get a mistrial over the use of testimony from his church trial.

A judge has denied the request from the Rev. James Brennan.
The jury is deliberating for an eighth day, after hearing the accuser’s testimony from the canon trial this week.

Defense lawyer William Brennan, no relation, has asked for a mistrial Thursday. He says the jury should not have heard the testimony during deliberations when it was not aired at trial.

However, prosecutors say the transcript is in evidence, and the judge agreed to have it read Tuesday.

Brennan is on trial with Monsignor William Lynn, the former secretary for clergy in the Philadelphia archdiocese.

Lynn is the first U.S. church official charged over his handling of sex-abuse complaints.