Defense lawyers ask judge to step down in Philadelphia abuse trial
February 09, 2012
Defense attorneys representing Philadelphia priests in a sex-abuse trial have called upon the presiding judge to step down, pointing to statements that indicate her clear bias against the Catholic Church.
Lawyers representing Msgr. William Lynch, a former official of the Philadelphia archdiocese, said that an outburst by Judge Teresa Sarmina during an open hearing showed that she “harbors a firm predisposed opinion against the Catholic Church and its representatives.”
The judge had said: "Anybody that doesn't think there is widespread sexual abuse within the Catholic Church is living on another planet.”
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Further information:
- Lawyers: Judge in priest abuse case should step down (Philadelphia Inquirer
- Philadelphia judge says abuse remains widespread in Catholic Church (CWN 2/2)
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