tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post1344490685169186221..comments2023-10-22T09:32:13.417-04:00Comments on Big Trial | Philadelphia Trial Blog: Judge Gives Msgr. Lynn Three to Six Years In SlammerAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116104602505815614noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-80052121685012862472012-07-30T09:42:49.336-04:002012-07-30T09:42:49.336-04:00New Post today at City of Angels Blog: http://city...New Post today at City of Angels Blog: <br>http://cityofangels12.blogspot.com/2012/07/vatican-hague-crimes-filing-update.html <br>Interview with Pam Spees re Vatican Crimes Against Humanity charges filed at The Hague in September 2011...Kay Ebelinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13753284586265566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-38285577862381454192012-07-27T11:20:55.580-04:002012-07-27T11:20:55.580-04:00a wise and noble judge ,the honorable Maria Theres...a wise and noble judge ,<br>the honorable Maria Theresa Sarmina sets the global stage for accountability and crimes against children and community.Carlos Abreuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023980175501312230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-83754699009388297612012-07-26T17:40:08.499-04:002012-07-26T17:40:08.499-04:00Ralph, Great Job!Kopride you make an excellent poi...Ralph, Great Job!<br>Kopride you make an excellent point. The "Blue Line" of Law enforcement and the camaraderie among Legal and Health care professionals as well as educators present very similar issues. Sexual Abuse is a SOCIAL issue that includes children as well as adults -- consenting or not. Changing the WHOLE of society regarding sexually abusive behavior needs to be a clear focus of every advocacy group.serentishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662609355928136089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-30484264385591387522012-07-25T17:57:30.742-04:002012-07-25T17:57:30.742-04:00The over the top antics of Blessington, do not bod...The over the top antics of Blessington, do not bode well.<br><br> Not Bode well for us.<br><br>I used to work in a store, you let the products sell themselves.<br><br> Blessington sounds like he's Snydley Whiplash.jim robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11021237370520134041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-36986931162760993012012-07-25T17:50:18.706-04:002012-07-25T17:50:18.706-04:00Well that kicked ass!Thanks a lot. What could have...Well that kicked ass!<br><br>Thanks a lot.<br><br> What could have been might have been.jim robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11021237370520134041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-21890264925561103452012-07-25T16:01:39.062-04:002012-07-25T16:01:39.062-04:00"Next up was Assistant District Attorney Patr..."Next up was Assistant District Attorney Patrick Blessington, who promptly took a classless and gratuitous swipe at Father Watson, the Catholic priest who had testified earlier that Lynn was a role model.<br><br>Somebody should ask Father Watson, Blessington yelled, "if he wants to aspire to be as good a criminal as Msgr. Lynn.'"<br><br>I have no issue with the sentence as it seems fair given what he was convicted for. Blessington needs to reign himself in. <br><br>In other words, the Philly DA's office is another institution that doesn't learn from the past. Once upon the time, Barbara Christie was a prominent Philly DA section head in the 80s who won lots of cases with over the top conduct. Unfortunately, antics like what what Blessington did at trial and during sentencing caused the Superior Court to throw out many of Christie's convictions. Historically, the appellate courts in PA do not like over the top advocacy by prosecutors. Blessington's stunts will make the Superior Court look very closely at the record. <br><br>Our juror commenter has not expressed any view on how the prosecutor's conduct affected her view of the state's case; but stuff like what you mentioned above is very ineffective advocacy. <br><br>Blessington could have commented as follows: "Your Honor, I am sure that you appreciated the faithfulness and loyalty of Father Watson to his brother priest and former mentor. In most contexts, we could commend these character traits. But loyalty and faithfulness to fellow clerics is part of the problem that was demonstrated in these proceedings. If this trial taught us anything it was that the church needs no additional role models on the importance of blind loyalty, and faithfulness to clerical mentors or supervisors. Monsignor Lynn was not convicted because he was lacking loyalty to other priests; he was convicted precisely because he placed this value over his obligation to protect the most vulnerable members of his church, the children who his brother priests and monsignors abused. One could say that Father Watson's testimony, as compelling as it was for his loyalty and affection to his former mentor, is equally compelling that the sentence needs to discourage young priests from seeking mentors who place too high a value on loyalty to other priests. The role models the church desperately needs are mentors who are willing to stand up to supervisors or mentors who ask them to do what they know is immoral--even if it means that their brother priests' careers and reputation will be affected.kopridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14033734864815154844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-89539931716957308052012-07-25T11:48:27.221-04:002012-07-25T11:48:27.221-04:00And perhaps, Media Report, A lot less arrogance on...And perhaps, Media Report, A lot less arrogance on your part might be more in line with the deity you claim to worship.jim robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11021237370520134041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-17896103677773979132012-07-25T10:31:26.901-04:002012-07-25T10:31:26.901-04:00Judy, perhaps a remedial course in reading compreh...Judy, perhaps a remedial course in reading comprehension at your local community college is in order.TheMediaReport.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605908176445177281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-91776591617532272052012-07-25T09:41:00.179-04:002012-07-25T09:41:00.179-04:00Dear Ralph-You are the best and the only reporter ...Dear Ralph-<br>You are the best and the only reporter we trust for true facts on the case and trial. We welcome any opinion of yours. Thank you for your blog thru out this long process. God Bless!Pattighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09771838781573443503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-38571059411243136852012-07-25T08:01:08.891-04:002012-07-25T08:01:08.891-04:00Dear Judy. Where in my story does it say I have a ...Dear Judy. Where in my story does it say I have a problem with Lynn's sentence? I don't think I expressed an opinion on that. I was too busy reporting what was going on around me.Ralph Ciprianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12188557653424544411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-81637407319673543552012-07-25T07:57:36.006-04:002012-07-25T07:57:36.006-04:006 years is a light sentence compared to the life l...6 years is a light sentence compared to the life long damage the con artists and masters at deceit caused in the community.Carlos Abreuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023980175501312230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-46648633611574323312012-07-25T07:35:52.568-04:002012-07-25T07:35:52.568-04:00The monsignor took a bullet for the cardinal, his ...The monsignor took a bullet for the cardinal, his suffering will be short.Kay Ebelinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13753284586265566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-84947979626362590282012-07-24T23:06:09.968-04:002012-07-24T23:06:09.968-04:00Ralph Cipriano, why do you have a problem with Lyn...Ralph Cipriano, why do you have a problem with Lynn's sentence.?JudyJoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11620799355111141596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-12260072616735375912012-07-24T21:28:23.227-04:002012-07-24T21:28:23.227-04:00"Jeff Lindy, another Lynn defense lawyer, wen..."Jeff Lindy, another Lynn defense lawyer, went through the traditional goals of sentencing: deterrence from preventing future crimes, deterrence to set an example for society so that others won't commit the same crime,"<br><br>This is the crux of the matter, deterrence so that bishops and vicars don't hide pedophiles. Bishop Finn may get the same message, and some others--hopefully. <br><br>The hierarchy, through this case and others, have proven they will not police themselves, nor will they police their Sgt Schultz vicars. All Lynn had to do was say to Bevilacqua, "no I can't do this". He didnt' and he's paying the price. That has been the bottom line all along. Lots of good people do despicable things in the face of authority. That doesn't make it right.colkochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03432916690101599393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-19664873775386589912012-07-24T20:56:15.127-04:002012-07-24T20:56:15.127-04:00Blessington sounds as wild as Bill Donahue.Why do ...Blessington sounds as wild as Bill Donahue.<br><br>Why do we see this over the top behavior? Behavior well beyond normal. It just makes no sense.<br><br>Unless someone wants to make the Church appear the victim.<br>It just doesn't make sense.<br><br>How much real time is 3 to 6 years? What's the criteria for early or late release?jim robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11021237370520134041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-73926869737539369982012-07-24T18:31:58.101-04:002012-07-24T18:31:58.101-04:00Soon he'll be blogging on These Stone Walls, a...Soon he'll be blogging on These Stone Walls, and when he gets out he'll move into a mansion somewhere. <br><br>His reputation may be hurt, but he will be beloved in the company he keeps and he will have lots of company.Kay Ebelinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13753284586265566961noreply@blogger.com