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*Opening Statements*
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/03/prosecutors-opening-statement-whispers.html' target="blank">The Prosecutor's Opening Statement: Whispers in the Dark. By Ralph Cipriano.</a>
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<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/03/sins-of-past-evidence-of-prior-bad-acts.html' target="blank" >The Sins of the Past — Evidence Of "Prior Bad Acts" By The Archdiocese May Be A Daily Issue. By Max Kennerly.</a> -
Period: to
The Commonwealth of PA v. William J. Lynn, Edward V. Avery and James J. Brennan
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The Avery Files
The prosecution presents over 100 files dealing with the allegations of sexual abuse against Father Edward Avery. Read the full story. -
Archdiocese Priest Wrote Love Letter to Seventh-Grade Boy
Father Joseph Okonski testifies to finding a love letter written to a seventh grader by Father Michael Murtha. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/03/archdiocese-priest-writes-love-letter.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> A former alter boy testifies to being stalked by a pedophile priest when he was 15 years old. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/03/altar-boy-stalked-by-pedophile-priest.html' target="blank" >Read the full story.</a> -
Detective: Lynn Worried About Hierarchy, Not Victims
Detective James Dougherty of the district attorney's Special Victims Unit testifies about the archdiocese's "secret archive files." <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/03/detective-lynn-worried-about-scandal.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> A victim testifies to being sexually abused when she was a teenager working in the church rectory. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/03/pedophile-priest-fondles-13-year-old.html' target="blank">Read the full story. -
Lawyers Spar over Archdiocese's Secret Archive Files
Msgr. Lynn's defense lawyer cross-examines Detective Joseph Walsh on the archdiocese archive files. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/lawyers-spar-over-archdioceses-secret.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> Two jurors are dismissed without explanation from the trial. Read the full story. -
The Archdiocese's "Charitable Concern" for A Sex Abuse Victim
A former victim writes to the archdiocese requesting they pay for therapy he needs as a result of his abuse. Archdiocese policy states that the church will only pay for therapy if the accused priest confesses. Msgr. Lynn fails to tell the victim that the alleged abuser, Father Stanley M. Gana, had confessed to committing the act. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/lawyers-judge-go-at-it.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Key Prosecution Witness Has Meltdown
Father Brennan's accuser takes the stand. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/key-prosecution-witness-has-meltdown.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Prosecution Witness Sticks to Story
The main witness against Father Brennan continues his testimony about being abused when he was 14 years old. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/prosecution-witness-tenaciously-sticks.html' target="blank" >Read the full story.</a>
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<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/theres-no-normal-way-for-sexual-assault.html' target="blank">There's No "Normal" Way For A Clergy Abuse Or Sexual Assault Victim To Act. By Max Kennerly.</a> -
Priest Alleged to Have Made Hush Payments to Sex Abuse Victims
The archived documents reveal that Father Thomas F. Shea came to Msgr. Lynn when a former alter boy he molested hired a lawyer. The prosecution scrutinizes Msgr. Lynn's investigation, or lack thereof. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/priest-alleged-to-have-made-hush.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
The Cardinal, the Clergy and Kiddie Porn
Father Robert Feeney testifies about finding "graphic and gross" pornography addressed to Father Edward M. DePaoli.
A former victim recounts a disappointing meeting with Msgr. Lynn. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/cardinal-bevilacqua-helps-out-priest.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Mother of Alleged Rape Victim Says She'll Never Really Know What Happened Between Her Son and Her Priest
The mother of Father Brennan's accuser takes the stand. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/mother-of-alleged-victim-says-shell.html' target="blank" >Read the full story.</a> -
Cardinal Bevilacqua Obstructed Justice
A priest who is an expert on canon law testifies that the late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua was guilty of obstructing justice when he ordered the destruction of a confidential memo that identified 35 priests accused of sexual abuse. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/canon-law-expert-cardinal-bevilacqua.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Prosecution Puts the Archdiocese of Philadelphia On Trial
The prosecution widens the scope of their case by bringing in reports of clergy abuse from as far back as 1948. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/defense-lawyer-claims-archdiocese-of.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Jurors Hear About Perverted Passion Play
Detective James Dougherty reads confidential archdiocese records detailing a perverted play put on by Father Thomas J. Smith. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/jurors-hear-about-perverted-passion.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Catholic Victim of Clerical Sex Abuse: "I Have an Emptiness Where My Soul Used To Be"
A former victim of Father Stanley M. Gana recounts his harrowing story of abuse. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/victim-i-have-emptiness-where-my-soul.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Msgr. Lynn on Sex Abuse Investigation: "The Case Fell Through the Cracks"
Msgr. Lynn's 2002 grand jury testimony is read to the jury. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/msgr-lynn-on-sex-abuse-investigation.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Will Father Avery Be Hauled Back to Court in a Jump Suit?
The judge leaves open the possibility of Father Avery returning to testify. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/will-father-avery-be-hauled-back-into.html' target="blank" >Read part 1.</a> <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/will-father-avery-return-to-court-in.html' target="blank" >Read part 2.</a> -
Cardinal Bevilacqua Appointed A Known Pedophile As Assistant Pastor
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/therapist-warns-that-pedophile-priest.html'target="blank">Cardinal Bevilacqua Appointed A Known Pedophile As Assistant Pastor.</a> <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/soft-spoken-49-year-old-doctor-on.html' target="blank">Sex Abuse Victim: "I Felt Betrayed."</a> <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/no-return-for-father-avery.html'target="blank">No Return to the Courtroom for Father Avery.</a> -
More of the Grand Jury Testimony of Monsignor Lynn
More of the grand jury testimony of Msgr. Lynn is read in court. The testimony goes against what the defense team has been claiming; that Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua was the mastermind behind protecting pedophile priests. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/monsignor-lynn-takes-witness-stand-in.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
One Courtroom, Two Defendants and Two Cases Headed in Opposite Directions
The back story at the archdiocese of Philadelphia sex abuse trial, now beginning its sixth week, is that the evidence against Msgr. Lynn continues to pile up every day, while the case against Father Brennan appears to be unraveling. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/04/one-courtroom-two-defendants-and-two.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Another Episode of the Bumbling Monsignor On the Trail of A Predator Priest
More grand jury testimony recounts Msgr. Lynn's pursuit of Lothario priest Father Sylwester Wiejata. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/clueless-monsignor-on-trail-of.html' targe="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
The Cardinal Sin: Disobeying the Big Guy
The jury is shown 34 formerly confidential documents regarding the case of Monsignor Michael C. Picard, who disobeyed the late Cardinal Bevilacqua. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/cardinal-sin.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
"One of the Sickest Individuals" Gets Away With It
Repeat offender Father Nicholas V. Cudemo avoids being criminally charged. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/one-of-sickest-individuals.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> Msgr. Lynn's investigation into the exploits of Father Sylwester Wiejata is recounted.<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/pervert-priest-checks-out-of-sex-clinic.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Former Teen "Jesus" Talks About Being Abused in Perverted Archdiocese Passion Play
A former victim gives the details of Father Thomas J. Smith’s perverted passion play. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/former-teen-jesus-talks-about-being.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> Former FBI Agent Jack Rossiter tells jurors about his interview with Father James J. Brennan. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/former-fbi-agent-tells-about-his.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Prosecutor Seeks Road Trip to Prove Monsignor Is A Liar
More of Msgr. Lynn's grand jury testimony. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/prosecutor-seeks-road-trip-to-prove.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/priest-seeks-spiritual-highs-winds-up.html' target="blank" >Priest Seeks Spiritual Highs; Winds Up Singing White Christmas to Chickens.</a> -
Detective, Defense Lawyer Battle Over the Soul of Father Brennan
The defense cross-examines Detective Dougherty. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/detective-defense-lawyer-battle-over.html' target="blank">Read the full story</a> -
Nun Calls Out Monsignor Lynn
A nun who was sexually abused as a minor by a predator priest called out Monsignor William J. Lynn Thursday from her perch on the witness stand. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/nun-calls-out-monsignor-lynn.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
A Shredded Memo, A Dead Cardinal, and A Bunch of Liars
A secret list of sexually abusive priests that Cardinal Bevilacqua ordered shredded in 1994 is now at the center of a tangled web of deception, lies and suspicious memory lapses. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/shredded-memo-dead-cardinal-and-bunch.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Planning a Gay Cruise to Thailand? Call Father Mike
The prosecution suggests that the church had turned a blind eye to Father Michael McCarthy's transgressions with teenage boys, as long as scandal could be avoided by transferring the priest to another parish. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/planning-gay-cruise-to-thailand-call.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Monsignor Confesses He Wasn't Qualified To Be A Gumshoe
Msgr. Lynn admitted in 2004 that he wasn't qualified to investigate sexual abuse. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/monsignor-confesses-he-wasnt-qualified.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
*Prosecution Rests*
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/prosecution-train-goes-off-track-in.html' target="blank">Prosecution Train Goes Off Tracks In Archdiocese Sex Abuse Case. By Ralph Cipriano.</a> <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/what-did-prosecution-prove-about.html' target="blank">What Did The Prosecution Prove About Monsignor Lynn? By Max Kennerly.</a> -
Defense Claims Monsignor Lynn At Bottom Rung of Hierarchy
The defense in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia sex abuse case presented Monsignor William J. Lynn as a caring priest who occupied the "bottom rung" of the church hierarchy. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/defense-claims-monsignor-lynn-at-bottom.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
"The Defense Calls Monsignor Lynn"
After 8 weeks of trial, the defense calls Monsignor William J. Lynn to the witness stand. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/defense-calls-monsignor-lynn.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
Fire-Breathing Prosecutor Assails Lynn As Liar; Monsignor's Supporters Break Out Rosary Beads
The prosecution gets their crack at Msgr. Lynn, who tries to defend the indefensible, by explaining away the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's criminal conduct of the past fifty years. <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/fire-breathing-prosecutor-assails-lynn.html' target="blank">Read the full story.</a> -
*Defense Rests*
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/05/big-mo-shifting-as-defense-rests-case.html' target="blank">As Defense Rests, Big Mo Shifting. By Ralph Cipriano.</a> -
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Deliberations: Day 2
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/06/jury-in-sex-abuse-case-asks-lots-of.html' target="blank">Jury In Sex Abuse Case Has Plenty of Questions. By Ralph Cipriano.</a> -
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Deliberations: Day 4
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/06/jury-asks-for-marker-board-and-easel.html' target="blank">Jury Asks for Marker Board and Easel. By Ralph Cipriano.</a> -
Deliberations: Day 5
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/06/jury-goes-on-vacation-bill-brennan.html' target="blank">Jury Goes On Vacation; Bill Brennan, Vernon Odom Play Godfather Trivia. By Ralph Cipriano.</a> -
Deliberations: Day 6
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/06/jury-stuck-on-father-brennan.html' target="blank">A Jury Stuck On Father Brennan. By Ralph Cipriano.</a> -
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Deliberations: Day 8
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/06/judges-ruling-sets-off-fireworks-in.html' target="blank">Judge's Ruling Sets Off Fireworks. By Ralph Cipriano</a> -
Deliberations: Day 9
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/06/judge-reverses-herself-on-criminal.html' target="blank">Judge Reverses Herself On Criminal Intent. By Ralph Cipriano.</a> -
Deliberations: Day 10
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/06/day-10-without-verdict.html' target="blank">Day 10 Without A Verdict. By Ralph Cipriano.</a> -
Deliberations: Day 11
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/06/day-11-without-verdict-but-plenty-of.html' target="blank">Day 11 Without A Verdict As Rumors Abound About A Deadlocked Jury. By Ralph Cipriano.</a> <a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/06/hung-jury-time-for-dynamite-charge.html' target="blank">Hung Jury - Time For The Dynamite Charge? By Max Kennerly.</a> -
Deliberations: Day 12
<a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/06/jurors-say-theyre-deadlocked-judge-says.html' target="blank">Jurors Say They're Deadlocked; Judge Says Keep Deliberating. By Ralph Cipriano.</a> -
*The Verdict*
On the thirteenth day of deliberations, the jury finally reached a verdict. Msgr. Lynn was found guilty on a single count of child endangerment. He was found not guilty on a conspiracy charge and a second child endangerment charge. The jury deadlocked on the charges against Fr. Brennan. <br/><a href='http://www.priestabusetrial.com/2012/06/father-brennan-walks-out-in-sunshine.html' target="blank">Father Brennan Walks Out "In The Sunshine;" Msgr. Lynn Taken Into Custody. By Ralph Cipriano.</a>
