Mixed Verdict for Philly Priest Trial

After 13 days of deliberations, jurors found Philadelphia’s Monsignor William Lynn guilty on one count of child endangerment, not guilty on a second count, and not guilty of conspiracy. The jury declared a mistrial in the case of Reverend James Brennan, who faced 13 to 27 years on charges of attempted rape and endangering a child’s welfare. The landmark case put Lynn on the witness stand for three days in the first instance of an official of the Catholic Church being charged with covering up allegations of abuse, and he could have served a prison term of up to 20 years if convicted on all charges.