A Philadelphia church official facing trial in the priest abuse scandal says he created a list of problem priests in 1994 but Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua had it destroyed.
Monsignor William Lynn says the Archdiocese of Philadelphia recently turned over a surviving copy that corroborates his claims.
Lynn asked Friday to have his conspiracy and child endangerment case thrown out based on the new evidence. Jury selection is under way.
Lynn is the first U.S. church official charged for allegedly keeping predator-priests in ministry.
Lynn says he reviewed secret church archives after becoming secretary for clergy and gave Bevilacqua a list of 35 active priests with complaints in their files. He says the cardinal had the list shredded in 1994. Bevilacqua died last month.
A gag order prevents the archdiocese from commenting.
Fan, follow and download: Get the latest from NBCPhiladelphia.com anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and NBC Philadelphia. Sign up for our sports newsletter. And, get breaking news delivered right to your mobile phone -- just text PHIBREAKING to 639710 to sign up. (Message and data rates may apply.)
