Philly to retry priest after abuse trial deadlock

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia prosecutors will retry an ousted priest on an attempted rape charge after a jury deadlock.

The Rev. James Brennan says the decision reopens wounds that were starting to heal.

Forty-year-old Brennan is accused of trying to rape a young teen boy in 1996. Brennan has admitted in a church trial that he slept with him and let him watch porn, but he denies molesting him.

Brennan’s lawyer says11 of 12 jurors wanted to acquit his client last month.

Prosecutors say they’re not available for the retrial until February.

The trial should last only a few days.

Brennan had spent months on trial with Monsignor William Lynn, and is no longer in ministry.

Lynn awaits sentencing Tuesday after being convicted of felony child endangerment for his handling of abuse claims.