philly.com
Posted: Mon, Jun. 18, 2012, 11:39 AM
By Joseph A. Slobodzian and John P. Martin
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
The jury has reported for a tenth day of deliberations in the child sex-abuse trial of two Philadelphia Catholic priests.
Court observers wait to see if they Philadelphia Common Pleas Court panel of seven men and five women will continue to have requests for clarifications and re-reading of testimony.
On Friday, the jury heard part of the trial testimony of Msgr. William J. Lynn, the first Catholic Church official criminally charged for his supervisory role over deviate priests. The testimony centered on whether Lynn knowingly put minors in danger of being sexually abused by allowing reassignments of pedophile priests to parishes where they would have access to children.
Also on trial is the Rev. James J. Brennan, 48, charged with attempted rape and one count of child endangerment involving a 14-year-old boy who visited his apartment in 1996.
Fifteen minutes later after rehearing the testimony Friday, the jurors returned to court to be excused for the weekend.
The jury appeared to have lost its upbeat attitude since the beginning of the discussions. Friday’s expressions suggested exhaustion, anger and frustration.
Lynn, who as the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s secretary for clergy from 1992 to 2004 was responsible for investigating allegations against priests suspected of sexually abusing minors, is charged with conspiracy and two counts of child endangerment.
Contact Joseph A. Slobodzian at 215-854-2985 or jslobodzian@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @JoeSlobo.