Former Altar Boy Sues Philadelphia Priest He Accused of Abuse

A 27-year-old former altar boy has sued a Roman Catholic priest whose two sexual assault trials ended in hung juries.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the lawsuit was filed July 10 against the Rev. Andrew McCormick and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It seeks unspecified damages for emotional harm.

The 59-year-old clergyman was charged in 2012 with assaulting an altar boy in a rectory in 1997. The jury in his second trial deadlocked in March. Prosecutors withdrew the charges in April.

Trevan Borum, the attorney who defended McCormick in his last trial, called the suit a “bold-faced lie.'' He says he expects to be hired to defend McCormick in the lawsuit.

Brian Kent, the lawyer who filed the lawsuit, says his client wants to hold McCormick accountable.

The archdiocese declined comment.