Priest’s lawyer wants charges dropped for crimes outside Philadelphia
Update: WHYY’s Lizz Fiedler tells us the judge did not make any decisions, and all parties must reappear in court March 25 to discuss issues related to the case. The courtroom, she tells us, was packed.
The Associate Press reports lawyers for James Brennan want the charges against Brennan dropped since they occurred outside the city. An early report in today’s Daily News says attorney Richard DeSipio is also questioning the credibility of Brennan’s accuser, as the man has criminal convictions and multiple aliases.
Prosecutors are adding conspiracy charges involving officials at the Archdiocese, which ties Brennan in.
Original report: Today is sure to be a memorable one for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. The preliminary hearing for Bernard Shero, Monsignor William Lynn and Fathers James Brennan, Charles Engelhardt and Edward Avery began at 1 p.m.
The hearing is one of many steps in the process following a grand jury report accusing Brennan, Avery, Engelhardt and Shero of counts of rape and sexual abuse; and Lynn of helping to cover up the offenses.
SNAP protesters arrived early, holding up signs condemning the Archdiocese’s cover-ups and posters of abuse victims,
WHYY’s Lizz Fiedler is at the hearing, and will have the full report later.
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