A man accused of beating up a retired priest over sexual abuse that allegedly took place decades ago stood before a judge Wednesday at a preliminary hearing to determine whether his case will go to trial.

43-year-old William Lynch walked into the San Jose courthouse with his attorney Mark Geragos. The suspect claims he has a justified reason for attacking this man of the cloth.

Lynch is accused of tracking down and beating 65-year-old retired priest Jerrold Lindner at a Los Gatos retirement home last year.

Lynch was charged with felony assault. He contends Lindner molested him and his younger brother 30 years ago when the boys were only age 5 and 7. Lynch alleges the abuse happened in the Santa Cruz Mountains during weekend camping trips.

Geragos spoke with KTVU briefly before the hearing began.

"Well it’s almost laughable. They don’t want to prosecute the past," said Geragos. "Name a single court case where the prosecution doesn’t want to bring in some past act of the defendant. I just finished a murder trial here where that’s all we talked about, the past of the defendant. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander."

Protesters supporting the 43-year-old carried signs and chanted "Jail Father Jerry" outside the court house. Other signs read "Clergy Sexual Abuse Steals Lives" and "Free Willy," in reference to Lynch.

Lynch's mother Betty was in attendance. She wanted others to know the abuse ruined her son's life.

"We’re here to support Will and to protest the way the church handles these perpetrators," said Betty Lynch. "Laws need to be changed."

Since 2001, 65-year-old Lindner has been living in a retirement in Los Gatos. Over the years, other abuse allegations have surfaced including from Lindner's own sister and niece.

Despite Lindner's denial, more than a decade ago, the Catholic Church settled with the Lynch brothers for more than $600,000.

One of Lynch's supporters outside the courthouse was Robert Taylor, who said he knew William when he was young.

"We’ve known the priest. He was the one at camp with us," said Taylor. "This is the first time I think he’s going to have to face one of the children he assaulted I think the state has to do something about not protecting pedophiles and not letting the statute of limitations run out on [cases like] these."

Vicki Gemetti with the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case. Father Linder was not in court Wednesday morning.

The judge in the case announced that he would make his decision on whether Lynch would face a trial by Thursday.