New trial date set for Sen. Farnese
A new corruption-trial date for state Sen. Lawrence M. Farnese Jr. (D-Phila.) has been set for January.
The trial was scheduled to begin this month but attorneys for Farnese’s co-defendant, Ellen Chapman, requested more time to prepare.
Farnese is accused of bribing Chapman — an Eighth Ward committeemember — in order to ensure his 2011 election as Democratic leader of the ward.
Farnese allegedly diverted $6,000 in campaign funds to help pay the college tuition of Chapman’s daughter.
Farnese and Chapman are charged with conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and related offenses. Both deny the allegations.
If the case isn’t settled, Farnese and Chapman will have a joint trial beginning 9:30 a.m. Jan. 23 in Courtroom 12A of the U.S. Court House, 601 Market St., before U.S. District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe.
Both defendants remain free, pending the outcome of their trial.
The Eighth Ward is a political subdivision, largely in Center City west of Broad. It serves as a conduit to party leadership, and it’s a source of information during campaigns and elections.
D.A. will retry Msgr. Lynn for child endangerment
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office this week said it will retry Msgr. William J. Lynn for child endangerment.
On July 26, the state Supreme Court denied a request from the D.A.’s Office to review a lower-court ruling that vacated Lynn’s 2012 conviction for child endangerment.
On Aug. 2, Lynn was released on $250,000 bail. He had been serving a three- to six-year prison sentence.
Lynn allegedly facilitated same-sex child sexual abuse while supervising Catholic priests in Philadelphia.
But last year, when vacating Lynn’s conviction, the Superior Court said too much prejudicial evidence was presented by prosecutors.
In a statement, the D.A.’s Office said: “There is substantial evidence, including testimony from [Lynn] himself, to establish his guilt. A retrial is the right thing to do in the pursuit of justice.”
Thomas A. Bergstrom, an attorney for Lynn, said: “[Lynn’s] conviction was vacated. So technically [the D.A.’s Office] can retry him. But he cannot be resentenced as he has essentially done his time.”
Lynn, 65, served as the Philadelphia archdiocesan secretary for clergy from 1992-2004. He was the first U.S. church official convicted of a crime due to allegedly mishandling sex-abuse allegations.
Trial date set in Woody’s case
An October 2017 trial date has been set in a civil case involving Woody’s, a popular LGBT venue in Center City.
Daniel Callaway contends he was injured in December 2014 while tending to a disabled vehicle on I-95 in Tinicum Township, Delaware County. The disabled vehicle had been driven by Jamar Palmer, who allegedly became intoxicated at Woody’s, prior to the accident.
A vehicle driven by Corrin R. Collier sideswiped Palmer’s vehicle, pushing it into Callaway.
Callaway filed suit against Woody’s, Palmer and Collier in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, seeking more than $50,000.
A trial date has been set for 10 a.m. Oct. 2, 2017, in Courtroom 602 of City Hall, with Common Pleas Judge Arnold L. New presiding.
Neither side had a comment for this update.
— Timothy Cwiek