PHILADELPHIA (AP)
Oct. 7,2011
The criminal priest-abuse case in Philadelphia returns to court Friday with several pretrial motions before the judge.
Defense lawyers for Monsignor William Lynn have asked the judge to move the trial because of pretrial publicity and lift the gag order that prevents them from responding to evidence filed in the case.
Lynn is the first Roman Catholic church official in the U.S. charged with endangering children through priest transfers. Three other priests and a teacher are charged with rape.
Common Pleas Judge Teresa Sarmina may also weigh the requested testimony of former Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua (bev-uh-LOK'-wuh).
Prosecutors want to call Bevilacqua to testify, but church lawyers say he is suffering from cancer and dementia.
Sarmina has also set aside three days later this month for hearings on the Bevilacqua issue.
Msg. Lynn has admitted to moving abusive priests around to avoid exposure. Evidently, he has agreed to take the fall. His legal expenses are being paid by the diocese and he was applauded at a private dinner of priests and the archbishop earlier. Makes you wonder how Philadelphia will respond to future abuse problems. - Mike}
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