DA On Bevilacqua's Death: 'This Is Not A Criminal Investigation'

Amidst a backdrop of widespread rumors and speculation, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman held an impromptu press conference on Friday morning to explain why the Montgomery County Coroner is looking into the passing of Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua.

"Ordinarily, when we are involved in investigative matters, we don't comment on them," said Ferman. "The reasons for that are quite obvious. We also don't want to ever target someone, smear someone, accuse someone or an institution's reputation without evidence of a crime."

"I've chosen to speak about this because I actually think the opposite is true here," Ferman continued.  "If I were to remain silent on what's going on right now, I think it would actually generate speculation, which is really not appropriate."

Bevilacqua , a day after Common Pleas Court Judge Teresa Sarmina ruled that he could be compelled to take the witness stand in the child sex abuse trial of three priests who served in the archdiocese during his 15-yearterm as Archbishop of Philadelphia.

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