PHILADELPHIA – A defense lawyer says a Roman Catholic church official on trial in Philadelphia is being blamed for the sins of the church.
The remarks come as lawyers make closing arguments in the 10-week clergy-abuse trial of Monsignor William Lynn.
Prosecutors are paving new ground as they pursue the former secretary for clergy over his handling of abuse complaints. He's charged with conspiracy and child endangerment.
Defense lawyer Thomas Bergstrom says jurors have seen the church's dark side and the evil done by rogue priests. But he argues that Lynn alone tried to document and address the child-abuse.
The Rev. James Brennan, a co-defendant, is charged in a 1996 sexual assault. His lawyer calls the alleged victim a "con man" motivated by legal and financial problems.
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