PHILADELPHIA, July 23 (UPI) -- Philadelphia prosecutors said Monday they plan to retry the former parish priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia accused of attempted rape.
James J. Brennan, 48, will be retried on charges of attempted rape and child endangerment for attempting to rape a 14-year-old boy in 1996, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Brennan's case, tried at the same time Monsignor William J. Lynn was tried and convicted of child endangerment, ended in a mistrial in June.
During the trial, Brennan's accuser said Brennan showed him online pornography, masturbated in front of him and slept in the same bed as him. Brennan's lawyer said the witness made false accusations to win a payout from the church.
The Common Pleas Court jury deliberated for 13 days but came out deadlocked on the charges.
