Jurors in priest sex abuse case are hung on all counts but one

The jury in the landmark priest-sex abuse case told the judge this afternoon that is it hung on all counts but one.

The message came to Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina via a note on its 12th day of deliberations. The panel is considering conspiracy and child endangerment charges against Monsignor William Lynn, the first U.S. Catholic Church official charged in the wide-ranging sex abuse scandal, and attempted sex assault against Rev. James Brennan.

Sarmina instructed the panel of seven men and five women to keep deliberating, stressing to them the importance of the case. She also offered to provide exhibits that she had previously denied them access to if it would help break the impasse.

Jurors had not asked any questions or requested any exhibits during the previous two days after more than 20 requests during the first 10 days of deliberations.

The trial last roughly three months, with prosecutors putting on dozens of witnesses that testified abuse by numerous priests. Both Lynn and Brennan have pleaded not guilty, while a third co-defendant in the case, Rev. Edward Avery, pleaded guilty to sexual assault before the trial.