The verdict in the case of William Lynch was unexpected and unusual. Late Thursday, Lynch was acquitted on charges of assaulting the man who molested him many years ago. Lynch had gone to confront the Catholic priest and to get ask him to sign a confession that the man had molested Lynch and his brother during a 1975 camping trip. Lynch did not begin the assault until after he says the now retired priest “leered” at him in the same manner that occurred back in 1975.

Lynch stated that “I honestly thought I was going to jail. It turned out better than I expected.” Lynch has never denied the assault. Former prosecutor Steven Clark told reporters that the verdict is a rarity because of that. He stated that “The DA’s office was in a very difficult position because they had to go forward with the case. They can’t allow vigilante justice to be ignored. But the DA’s office is not used to having pedophiles as victims.”

District Attorney Jeffrey Rosen even stated that the authorities understood the abuse and trauma suffered by Lynch, but also stated that “And while we understand Mr. Lynch’s desire for revenge, we don’t condone it.” The jurors, who wished to remain anonymous, did not want to vote to convict Lynch after hearing his testimony. Prosecutors knew that could be an issue and tried to paint him as a vigilante.