Accused priest prepares for ‘Round 2'

Former Catholic priest James Brennan is shown leaving the Criminal Justice Center on June 18 after jury deliberations ended for the day in his child-sex-abuse trial. DAVID MAIALETTI / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

By Mensah M. Dean and Daily News Staff Writer

Posted: July 25, 2012

JAMES BRENNAN, the former Catholic priest accused of attempting to rape a 14-year-old boy, appeared downbeat but determined Monday to prove his innocence after learning that the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office plans to retry him.

"I feel badly about it because, personally, I don't think it's necessary, but it's the commonwealth's decision to do what they do," Brennan, 49, said outside the Criminal Justice Center. "All I can do is respond to it."

Brennan said his greatest concern was for his family and his attorney, William Brennan, because, he said, "they shouldn't have to go through this again."

Attorney Brennan, who is not related to his client, said: "There's been a lot of talk about justice for the victim, and I believe in that. But Father Brennan's case is unique. He has one lone accuser with a long criminal past. What about justice for Father Brennan? Enough is enough. They had their shot at him."

James Brennan was in better spirits June 22, after a Common Pleas jury was found to have deadlocked on attempted-rape and child-endangerment charges, which stemmed from his alleged abuse of the boy in 1996.

The same jury found his co-defendant, Monsignor William Lynn, 61, guilty of one count of child endangerment, making him the highest-ranking U.S. Catholic church official convicted of crimes related to clergy sexual abuse of children.

Lynn, who has been jailed since his conviction, is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday.

District Attorney Seth Williams made clear how he feels about the former priest. "James Brennan used his position as a priest to prey upon and victimize this young man. It is extremely important that Brennan be held accountable for his crime, not just for his victim but for all victims of sexual abuse."

Common Pleas Judge M. Teresa Sarmina said Brennan's next court date would be Aug. 14. City prosecutors told the judge that they would not be available for the retrial until next February.

"I don't plan to do too much differently," said defense attorney Brennan. "We will fight just as hard in Round Two as we did in Round One."

Contact Mensah M. Dean at 215-568-8278 or deanm@philly.com or on twitter @mensahdean.

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