Day 11: No verdict, or questions, from Lynn jurors
Jurors in the child-endangerment and sex-abuse trial of two Archdiocese of Philadelphia priests ended a quiet 11th day of deliberations Tuesday without a verdict.
Jurors in the child-endangerment and sex-abuse trial of two Archdiocese of Philadelphia priests ended a quiet 11th day of deliberations Tuesday without a verdict.
For a second straight day, the panel of seven men and five women met for about six hours but sought no help. By contrast, the jury had sent 25 requests for legal guidance and evidence to Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina in its first nine days.
The panel's last request before going silent was for clarifications on conspiracy and endangerment - the landmark charges against Msgr. William J. Lynn, the former archdiocese secretary for clergy accused of not removing two priests despite signs they might abuse minors.
One, the Rev. James J. Brennan, is accused of attempting to rape a 14-year-old boy in 1996. The other, defrocked priest Edward Avery, pleaded guilty before trial to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old altar boy in 1999.
The jury is due to reconvene Wednesday morning.