Priest sex abuse jury hung on most charges

Monsignor William Lynn walks to the Criminal Justice Center June 19, 2012, in Philadelphia. / AP Photo

(AP) PHILADELPHIA - A jury deliberating a sex abuse trial involving a high-ranking official in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia has been ordered to deliberate further to overcome a stalemate on four of the five charges.

Common Pleas Judge M. Teresa Sarmina told jurors she might let them rehear portions of testimony from the two accusers if it would help them reach consensus.

That suggestion from the judge led lawyer William Brennan to move for a mistrial on behalf of his client, the Rev. James Brennan. The judge denied his motion. The jury had earlier asked to rehear that testimony but was turned down.

The jury has been deliberating over 12 days, starting June 1. The trial started in late March.

Monsignor William Lynn is the first U.S. church official ever charged with crimes for his handling of clergy-abuse complaints.

Lynn, 61, is charged with conspiracy and child endangerment for allegedly helping the Roman Catholic church cover up abuse complaints. Lynn served as secretary for clergy in the Philadelphia archdiocese from 1992 to 2004. He faces up to 21 years in prison if convicted.

Brennan, 48, is charged with attempted rape and child endangerment for his alleged abuse of a 14-year-old boy during an overnight at the priest's apartment in 1996.

Another priest, the Rev. Edward Avery, pleaded guilty to sexual assault before trial and is in prison. Lynn is charged with endangering his victim and Brennan's accuser.

Sarmina acknowledged it could take days to rehear the testimony from those two young men, but she said that might be better than the alternative.

She reminded jurors that the case may have to be retried if they cannot reach verdicts.

The jury note suggested the split was 10-2 on one charge, but it was unclear what the vote was on other counts.

[RepublicansRFiscalLibs]

"Hung"?

Sounds like a good sentencing rather than referring to the jury.

[vissionquest]

The catholic church has nothing to do with faith, true religion nor is it connected to God in any form. The church is about controll of people. How could any man of God, be involved in any form of coverup regarding the rape of children. If this truly was about god the church would have never found itself in the position it now is in.

[Calltwoarms]

And the Vatican blames Nuns for their problems! LOL! Take a look in the mirror fellas, it's that thing down there that keeps getting you in trouble. Act like men and leave the boys alone. God will punish you beyond your wildest nightmare. Prison will seem like heaven when St. Peter reads out your destination. It won't be Hell, it will be UNDER hell where time doesn't pass and pain is the only sensation.

[carolhill814]

Does this surprise me NOT in the least and that is a fact and it is time for the women to take over and kick all of the men to the curb.

[Jesus_to_ground_control]

Whatever the verdict, Monsignor William Lynn must take the blame and resign.

[retiredgustav]

They must have a couple of good catholics on the jury obeying their bishop under the pain of mortal sin.

[jnostromo]

Jury must be made up of simpletons

[vernique3]

Church leaders are destroying religion. Time for the Nuns to be placed in charge of the church.

[cntrygirl3]

Don't know the particulars so I won't comment on case. But I do love this suggestion, the images it conjures are priceless

[retiredgustav]

The nuns may be the catholic church's only salvation.