Philadelphia priest’s lawyers argue against prison term
July 19, 2012
Lawyers for the former Philadelphia archdiocesan official who was convicted of endangering children have asked the court to sentence him to probation or house arrest rather than a prison term.
Msgr. William Lynn, the lawyers argue, poses no danger to public safety and has already been punished by public notoriety—as well as jail time since his conviction. The lawyers note that most people sentenced for similar crimes under Pennsylvania law serve little or no time in prison.
The lawyers’ plea was submitted to Judge Teresa Sarmina a week before she is scheduled to pronounce sentence on the convicted cleric. The judge has already indicated a lack of sympathy for Msgr. Lynn by refusing to release him on bail, or assign him to house arrest, pending the sentencing date.
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Further information:
- Lawyers: Prison for Msgr. Lynn would be ‘cruel and unusual’ (Philadelphia Inquirer)
- No house arrest for convicted Philadelphia cleric (CWN< 7/5)
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