Click here to read: “Philly District Attorney files appeal of Monsignor William Lynn’s overturned conviction,” by Brian X. McCrone, Philly.com, Jan. 28, 2014
In the 35-page appeal, Williams argued “the Superior Court erred in holding that a church official who systemically reassigned pedophile priests in a manner that risked further sexual abuse of children did not endanger the welfare of children.”
“If, as the Superior Court held, it was legally impossible for defendant to endanger the welfare of children in his individual capacity, the evidence was sufficient to prove his guilt as an accomplice,” Williams argued in the appeal.
Reblogged this on Voice of the Faithful ®.
The link to the story does not work for me. Thank you.
Thanks, Kate. I fixed it. Juggling too many links today!
It will be interesting to see if this appeal is decided before the start of the Penn State officials trial. There is so much discussion of Lynn’s indictment being either a witch hunt or political, but the prosecutor in the PSU case is pressing similar EWOC charges that also may be in jeopardy because of the limitations of the law prior to 2006.
It is interesting that these two high profile cases happened in the same state and the narrative attached to the one as being “anti catholic “, can’t be applied to the other.
Hi everybody,
I have the complete 35 page appeal if anyone wishes to read it. Drop me a note and I will be happy to send it to you.
eckerdennis@ymail.com
I just posted this comment on the web story on Lynn. Hopefully there will be a retrial for the additional media coverage could be gotten no other way. A good change to get PA’s proposed legislation in the forefront of people’s minds along with their ringing their legislators’ phone lines. What that bill’s number again? Sister Maureen
It is reasonable to think that there is a 99 and 44/100% possibility of much more truth Lynn could get into the record. I spent many days attending the Lynn trial listening to and reading Lynn’s communications, etc., as read by ADAs and on courtroom TVs. It was very educational along with being so morally reprehensible.
I have not yet read the District Attorney’s appeal nor am I a lawyer but his argument:
“If, as the Superior Court held, it was legally impossible for defendant to endanger the welfare of children in his individual capacity, the evidence was sufficient to prove his guilt as an accomplice,” Williams argued in the appeal.
will certain be an interesting one when Lynn next appears in court. I think the District Attorney has something here.
I just wish there a few men of the cloth in the AOP who would submit their names to testify in court, before a grand jury or write an insider article under a pen name about what they knew went on but there are so few who have such incriminating information with either the necessary character or integrity.
In any case the laws regarding the sexual abuse of children must be brought into the 21st century.
We did it in Delaware in 2007 and we included a two year civil window so that previously time barred cases of childhood sexual abuse by anyone could be brought to civil court. In that way records, files etc., kept by enabling institutions be they the church, synagogue or PSU would be forced into the public venue.
Sister Maureen Paul Turlish
Advocate for Survivors and Legislative Reform
New Castle, Delaware
childvictimsvoice.com
catholicwhistleblowers.org
Dear Sr. Maureen,
“In any case the laws regarding the sexual abuse of children must be brought into the 21st century.” Perfectly said. Why they are not is mind boggling, isn’t it? I intend to request the whole appeal from Dennis, but is there also a transcript available somewhere of Lynn’s testimony? (please forgive my ignorance if it has been already accessible.) The trials and the verdicts were highly emotional for me, as I’m sure they were for everyone here, but I think I’m ready to read exactly what he said now that some time has passed, and with the appeal pending. Thank you.