Pennsylvania top court reinstates monsignor's conviction

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By MARYCLAIRE DALE

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The state's highest court on Monday reinstated the landmark child-endangerment conviction of a Roman Catholic monsignor who was the first U.S. church official ever prosecuted over his handling of sex abuse complaints.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the 2012 felony conviction of Monsignor William Lynn for endangering an altar boy abused by a priest who had been transferred to his parish despite earlier complaints.

Defense lawyers have long argued that Lynn, as secretary for clergy, was not responsible for the child's welfare under Pennsylvania law at the time. However, the state Supreme Court in a 4-1 ruling disagreed, potentially sending the 64-year-old Lynn back to prison.

&quot Lynn) was a person supervising the welfare of many children because, as a high-ranking official in the archdiocese of Philadelphia, he was specifically responsible for protecting children from sexually abusive priests," Justice Max Baer wrote.

FULL story at link.



FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2014, file photo, Monsignor William Lynn walks from the criminal justice center after a bail hearing in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling Monday, April 27, 2015, upholds the 2012 conviction of Lynn over abuse committed by a diocesan priest years earlier. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20150428/us--priest_abuse-appeal-f8820e5c5e.html

[BumRushDaShow]

1. This was a precedent-setting case for us in Philly

Haven't heard yet whether other Dioceses have gone the same route yet since the original judgment here....