Jury eyes case of man accused of beating priest

William Lynch, 44, is accused of pummeling Jerold Lindner with his fists on May 10, 2010, in what prosecutors called a vigilante attack.

Lynch testified during the trial that he only wanted the priest to sign a confession and punched him after experiencing an irrational fear triggered by memories of the alleged abuse in a tent on a 1975 camping trip.

Lynch is charged with felony assault and elder abuse. Lindner was 65 at the time, the minimum age for a victim of the abuse offense.

As jurors were trying to reach a verdict in the case Tuesday, supporters and Lynch's family members resumed their daily lunch-time demonstrations outside the courthouse.

The parents of defendant William Lynch spent the noon hour carrying picket signs with several other protesters, some of whom also claim to be victims of abuse by priests and have attended every day of the trial that began June 21.

"I'm nervous," Peggy Lynch said about the fate of her son.

In her closing argument, prosecutor Vicki Gemetti implored the jury not to be swayed by Lynch's dramatic testimony describing a horrific ordeal he claims to have endured at the hands of Lindner.