PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A jury has deliberated for an eighth day without reaching a verdict in the landmark clergy-abuse trial of two Philadelphia priests. The jury is asking repeated questions about what's needed to convict someone of "conspiracy" and "child endangerment." They are the two charges facing Monsignor William Lynn. He's the first U.S. church official charged for his handling of abuse complaints. Prosecutors say he helped the church hide complaints from the public and keep abusers in ministry. A judge has explained that jurors must find the "object" of the conspiracy was to endanger children. But the defendants didn't have to know their conduct was criminal. The Rev. James Brennan is also charged with child endangerment and with the alleged sexual assault of a teen boy in 1996. The jury returns Friday.
No verdict on Day 8 of Pa. priest-abuse talks
You are here
-
Monsignor William Lynn walks from the Criminal Justice Center, Thursday, June 14, 2012, in Philadelphia. Lynn is the first Roman Catholic church official in the U.S. ever charged with child endangerment, for allegedly keeping co-defendants former priest Edward V. Avery and the Rev. James J. Brennan, and other accused predators, in ministry. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
-
The Rev. James J. Brennan walks to the Criminal Justice Center, Thursday, June 14, 2012, in Philadelphia. Brennan is charged with the attempted rape of a 14-year-old boy in the 1990s. 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. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
-
The Rev. James J. Brennan walks from the Criminal Justice Center, Thursday, June 14, 2012, in Philadelphia. Brennan is charged with the attempted rape of a 14-year-old boy in the 1990s. 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. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
-
The Rev. James J. Brennan walks to the Criminal Justice Center, Thursday, June 14, 2012, in Philadelphia. Brennan is charged with the attempted rape of a 14-year-old boy in the 1990s. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Comments