William Lynch acquitted in beating of priest he says molested him
William Lynch, center, smiles outside of a San Jose, Calif., courthouse during a news conference after he was found not guilty of two felonies, July 5, 2012. / AP
(AP) SAN JOSE, Calif. - A man who beat up a priest who allegedly molested him as a child was acquitted Thursday of assault, a surprising verdict that allowed the defendant to escape a prison sentence.
Supporters of defendant William Lynch openly wept and hugged in the courtroom as the verdicts were read. Later, Lynch and his two attorneys emerged from the courthouse to a rousing cheer.
"I honestly thought I was going to jail," Lynch said. "It turned out better than I expected."
Steven Clark, a former prosecutor who watched most of the trial, called the verdict a rarity given that Lynch admitted the beating on the witness stand.
"The DA's office was in a very difficult position because they had to go forward with the case," Clark said. "They can't allow vigilante justice to be ignored. But the DA's office is not used to having pedophiles as victims."
District Attorney Jeffrey Rosen said authorities understood the abuse and trauma suffered by Lynch. "And while we understand Mr. Lynch's desire for revenge, we don't condone it," Rosen said.
Jurors told the San Francisco Chronicle that none of the members wanted to convict Lynch after hearing his testimony about the alleged abuse at the hands of Jerold Lindner. The jurors asked to remain anonymous.
An undated file photo provided by Debbie Lucas shows the Rev. Jerold Lindner on a camping trip in Northern California.
/ AP/Debbie Lukas
During the closely watched trial, prosecutors called Lynch, 44, a vigilante and implored the jury not to be swayed by his dramatic testimony describing the horrific ordeal he claims to have endured.
Lynch countered that he only wanted the priest to sign a confession and started punching Lindner after the retired priest "leered" at him the same way he looked at Lynch during the alleged molestation during a 1975 camping trip.
Lynch previously declined a plea bargain and said he hoped to use the case to publicly shame Lindner and bring further attention to the Catholic Church clergy abuse scandal. Lynch has said memories of the priest have tormented him for years, and he struggled through alcohol abuse, nightmares, divorce and other problems. He tried to commit suicide twice.
However, after the verdicts were read, he said he had regrets for resorting to violence against Lindner.
"I was wrong for what I did," he said. "I wanted to bring attention to the cause."
While advocates for the victims of abuse by priests condemned violence, they welcomed the verdict and said Lynch would likely not reoffend.
The jury acquitted Lynch after the two-week trial of two felony charges of assault and elder abuse. It deadlocked 8-4 to convict him of the much less serious charge of misdemeanor assault, and Rosen said he was undecided on whether to pursue another trial.
Lindner also testified and denied abusing Lynch. He later invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and would not testify further for fear of a perjury prosecution. The judge ordered Lindner's testimony stricken from the record.
In a deposition in the late 1990s, Lindner said he didn't recall Lynch, who received $625,000 in a 1998 confidential settlement with the Jesuits after alleging the abuse.
Pat Harris, another defense attorney, called on the district attorney to prosecute the priest for perjury.
"Lindner is not beyond justice," Harris said. "He perjured himself and let's see them put him in jail."
On Thursday, Lynch said the verdict would help him heal.
"This has brought me a certain closure. I found a voice that I didn't have. I've become empowered," Lynch said. "I feel like I can have some peace and get on with my life."
He called on other abuse victims to come forward and tell their story.
Lynch could have faced four years in prison if convicted. The jury began deliberations late Monday and spent all day Tuesday discussing the case. They didn't deliberate Wednesday.
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I would say it was well deserved.. There won't be mobs running the streets because of this verdict. And before you pass such harsh judgment, I suggest you hightail it over to the San Jose Mercury News and watch the video of Lynch talking in graphic detail what Lindner did to him and his four year old brother.. The jurors saw it twice and listened to Lynch in person. You will feel very differently.
Also, the irony is that the "victim" Lindner LIED on the stand when he said he had never molested Lynch and others and the defendant, Lynch, told the truth when he said he hit him.
So very stupid of the Santa Clara DA to try this case.
If Eric H. Holder, Jr. doesn't have the courage to take on this organized group of pedaphiles - the the world court needs to take over if the organized rape of children over generations is not a crime against humanity - what is it.
It is very tragic that child molestation has become part of the culture of the catholic church. The emphasis should be on rooting it out. The Church now is stressing the need to cover it up.Eventually this will lead to the demise of the church.
When the 'health and wellbeing' of the Catholic Church and its administrators takes precedent over the physical and emotional health of its child victims of abuse, it is clear this church boarders on moral bankruptcy. Centuries have passed with no correction to its 'modus operandi' leading to the ruination of countless lives. The time has come for retribution.
Hopefully, Karma and/or the judicial courts will deal with those who purvey(ed) their deceitful, self-righteous religious dogma, while simultaneously preying upon the naivete of adults, and the innocence and trust of the most vulnerable in our society ... children.