Priest abuse case could reach jury today
After a 10-week trial, a jury will soon weigh the actions of a Roman Catholic church official charged with hiding suspected pedophile priests in the Philadelphia archdiocese.
Catch Elizabeth Fiedler’s report on yesterday’s closing arguments here.
Monsignor William Lynn faces up to 21 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy and child endangerment.
Prosecutors say Lynn helped bury sordid tales of abuse in secret church archives from 1992 to 2004 during the time he served as secretary for clergy, when he could have quit or called police.
Defense lawyers insist Lynn alone tried to address the problem, but say he took orders from the late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua.
Deliberations could begin today after jury instructions. The Reverend James Brennan is also on trial, charged with molesting a teen in 1996. He denies it.
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