Prosecutors who compiled a 124-page grand jury report challenge Lynn’s demand for a preliminary hearing to show probable cause. They believe the report contains all the evidence required. But Lynn’s lawyers are pushing for the hearing.
“We’d get to see evidence, of course,’’ said lawyer Thomas Bergstrom. “But, more importantly, what we’d get is an opportunity to find out what the commonwealth’s theory is on our client endangering the welfare of a child. It’s a stretch.’’
Bergstrom, a dean of Philadelphia’s criminal defense bar, confirmed that the archdiocese is paying for him and cocounsel Jeffrey M. Lindy to defend Lynn.
Lynn served as secretary for clergy from 1992 to 2004 under Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua. Lynn, 60, has recently served as pastor of St. Joseph, a large parish in the sprawling suburb of Downingtown.
“We love you! We love you!’’ a parishioner cried out to Lynn in the courtroom. She declined to give her name.
The grand jury investigated child sexual abuse that allegedly occurred from 1996 to 2000 and was reported within a newly expanded time limit for such victims in Pennsylvania to come forward. A 2005 grand jury was unable to press criminal charges because of previous deadlines.
Two priests, Charles Engelhardt, 64, and James Brennan, 47, along with former priest Edward Avery, 68, and teacher Bernard Shero, 48, are charged with rape and related crimes.
Brennan’s lawyer, A. Charles Peruto Jr., told the judge yesterday that he hopes that the archdiocese will also pay Brennan’s legal bills if his client is acquitted. Brennan, who was removed from any public duties as a priest in about 2006, continues to get a small monthly stipend from the archdiocese, Peruto said.
Judge Renee Cardwell-Hughes berated Brennan for pleading poverty earlier and ordered him to repay the cost of a court-appointed lawyer who represented him at two grand jury appearances. However, Peruto said Brennan’s brother had stepped in after the charges were filed to help foot the legal bill.
