Start Of Landmark Philly Priest Abuse Case Delayed

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The start of a landmark priest abuse case involving a high-ranking official in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is delayed while a judge weighs a defense request for a new jury following the abrupt guilty plea last week of a co-defendant.

Lawyers for Monsignor William Lynn are seeking a new jury for his trial on child endangerment charges because the jurors could be affected by last week’s guilty plea by defrocked priest Edward Avery.

Opening arguments were scheduled for Monday in the trial of Lynn and the Rev. James Brennan. Lynn is charged with moving predator priests into unwitting parishes.

Avery pleaded guilty last week to assaulting an altar boy in 1999.

Lynn and Brennan were in the courtroom with their lawyers Monday morning, but the judge and jury were not.