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Jury still out in priests' sex abuse case

PHILADELPHIA, June 5 (UPI) -- A jury in Philadelphia wrapped up a third day of deliberations Tuesday without reaching a verdict in the sex abuse trial involving two Catholic priests.

During the day, the jurors requested additional evidence and legal guidance, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The panel asked questions regarding the scope of child endangerment charges against Msgr. William J. Lynn and the Rev. James J. Brennan, and sought the evidence file on Brennan.

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The newspaper said the jurors asked Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina if they were required to conclude that Brennan put other minors at risk besides his alleged victim to convict him of child endangerment. After consulting with the attorneys in the case, the judge instructed them that is the standard.

The jury began deliberating Friday.

Lynn, 61, who as archdiocesan secretary for clergy from 1992 to 2004, is accused of failing to report alleged sexual abuse by priests. He is charged with conspiracy and two counts of child endangerment.

Brennan, 48, is charged with the attempted rape of a 14-year-old boy in 1996, as well as child endangerment.

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