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)