Monsignor William Lynn denied house arrest, jailed until sentencing for child endangerment
(CBS/AP) PHILADELPHIA - William Lynn, the Philadelphia monsignor convicted of child endangerment for reassigning a priest suspected of abuse to a new parish, has been denied house arrest.
Judge M. Teresa Sarmina ruled Thursday after prosecutors argued Lynn should be treated like any other felon and remain jailed until his sentencing hearing.
Lynn's attorneys say their client isn't a flight risk and argued for his release on house arrest. But prosecutors say other defendants in Lynn's situation wouldn't be accommodated the same way.
"We're of course disappointed in the Judge's decision to deny bail pending sentence, but this decision was not unexpected," Lynn's attorney, Jeff Lindy, told CBS News. "Despite all of this, Msgr. Lynn's somehow has been able to remain in good spirits. He's a person of strong faith, and that has really helped him through all of this so far."
Judge Sarmina did approve a defense request to move sentencing up from Aug. 13 to July 24. Lynn faces 3 1/2 to seven years in prison.
Lynn was the first U.S. church official ever convicted for his handling of abuse complaints. His attorneys plan to appeal.