Philadelphia

Monsignor William Lynn Fights Retrial on Covering Up Clergy Sexual Abuse

The man at the center of the clergy sex abuse scandal in the Philadelphia Archdiocese returned to court Thursday to fight an attempt to retry him on charges that he covered up abuse cases.

Attorneys argued whether or not there should be a retrial for Monsignor William Lynn and a judge granted a hearing for Jan. 11.

The hearing will determine if city prosecutors withheld evidence that could cast doubt about the testimony of a key witness against Lynn.

Lynn’s attorney, Thomas Bergstrom, says there was wrongdoing by prosecutors five years ago. He filed motions, in part, arguing that the commonwealth hid evidence in the 2012 trial that could have been favorable to Lynn's defense.

Lynn already served 33 months of a 3- to 6-year sentence dating back to the previous trial, where he was convicted of covering up clergy sex abuse — the first Catholic official in the city to be convicted on those charges.

That conviction was overturned as the Pennsylvania Superior Court believed jurors heard too much evidence about unrelated matters. The commonwealth appealed to the state supreme court, which upheld the lower court’s decision, leading to Lynn’s release — on bail — from prison in August.

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams has vowed to keep fighting for the conviction.

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