A Pennsylvania appeals court reversed the conviction of a church official jailed for his handling of sex abuse cases, Fox News reported.
The Superior Court released their decision on Thursday for Monsignor William Lynn, 62, and dismissed the case against him. He was the first Catholic Church official to be sentenced for allegedly covering up a sexual abuse scandal.
"He's been in prison 18 months for a crime he didn't commit and couldn't commit under the law," said Lynn's attorney, Thomas Bergstrom. "It's incredible what happened to this man."
Lynn began serving his three to six year prison sentence last year for his child-endangerment conviction. During the initial trial, prosecutors argued that he reassigned clergy members guilty of sexual abuse to different parishes while he was secretary from 1992 to 2004.
His conviction came after one priest, Edward Avery, was found to have abused a child after being transferred.
An attorney for Lynn argued that Pennsylvania's child-endangerment laws only applied to parents and caregivers, not supervisors like him, at the time. However, Common Pleas Judge M. Teresa Sarmina rejected the argument and allowed the case to go forward, leading to his conviction.
Before he was sentenced, Lynn made a brief statement in the courtroom.
"I have been a priest for 36 years, and I have done the best I can. I have always tried to help people. I hope someday that you will accept my apology," he said.
Prosecutors could still ask the Superior Court to rehear the case. Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said he did not agree with Thursday's decision.
"While we are deciding what our next course of action will be, we most likely will be appealing," he said.
Supports of Lynn suggest he became a scapegoat to make up for church officials who were never charged for their crimes. In addition, Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn was convicted of a misdemeanor for not reporting a priest who had child pornography.
