2nd Day of Deliberations Wrap Up in Priest Sex Abuse Case

Jury has more questions while they decide the fate of Msgr. William Lynn and Rev. James Brennan

A Philadelphia jury returned Monday to weigh the fate of two Roman Catholic priests -- one charged with molesting a teen, the other with covering up the alleged crimes.

After a couple hours of deliberations the jury weighing the groundbreaking priest-abuse case came back with questions on a conspiracy charge. The jury would eventually go home for the day without verdicts being reached.

Monsignor William Lynn, 61, is charged with two counts of child endangerment and conspiracy for his handling of priest-abuse complaints in Philadelphia. He is the first U.S. church official charged with conspiracy and child endangerment for allegedly mishandling abuse complaints.

Jurors have asked if Lynn had to conspire with both a convicted priest and other church officials, or just one party, to be convicted of conspiracy.

Defense lawyers say the answer is both. Prosecutors say one finding is enough to convict. The judge is weighing the arguments.

Lynn argues he did his best to get troubled priests evaluated and treated. He says only the late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua could remove them.

If convicted, he could face up to 21 years in prison.

Lynn's co-defendant, the Rev. James Brennan, is charged with molesting a teen in 1996. His lawyer has attacked the credibility of the accuser, given convictions for theft and lying to police. 

Meanwhile, the jury also asked for clarity on the attempted rape charge lodged against Brennan.

If Brennan is found guilty, he could go away from up to 27 years.

Jurors got the case Friday after 11 weeks of testimony and asked to review Lynn's 1994 list of accused predator-priests -- a list that went missing at the archdiocese until this year.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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