Photo ~ William Lynch and his two attorneys emerged from the courthouse to a rousing cheer.

Man acquitted of assaulting retired priest he says molested him decades ago in California

SAN JOSE, California — There was never any doubt that William Lynch throttled the priest. Lynch even conceded as much the moment he took the witness stand.

But a jury acquitted Lynch of felony assault and elder abuse on Thursday, bringing a stunning conclusion to Lynch’s 37-year desire to confront the priest he says molested him in a tent on a 1975 camping trip.

“Mr. Lynch drove 50 miles, used a fake name, put on gloves and beat up and bloodied an elderly man,” Rosen said. “We charged Mr. Lynch for the crimes that he committed.”

Lynch’s case garnered national attention for his attempts to use the trial to call attention to the Catholic Church abuse scandal.

Lynch previously declined a plea bargain and said he hoped to use the case to publicly shame Lindner and bring further attention to the Catholic Church clergy abuse scandal. Lynch has said memories of the priest have tormented him for years, and he struggled through alcohol abuse, nightmares, divorce and other problems. He tried to commit suicide twice.

In a deposition in the late 1990s, Lindner said he didn’t recall Lynch, who received $625,000 in a 1998 confidential settlement with the Jesuits after alleging the abuse.

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