Geoghan's Death Is Described

Washington Post ^ | 8/25/03 | Jonathan Finer

[hole_n_one]

washingtonpost.com

Geoghan's Death Is Described
Fellow Inmate Jammed Cell Door During Attack

By Jonathan Finer
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, August 25, 2003; Page A01

BOSTON, Aug. 24 -- John J. Geoghan, the former priest and convicted child molester killed in a Massachusetts prison Saturday, was followed into his cell just after lunch by a fellow inmate who bound and gagged him before strangling him with a bed sheet, according to a union representative for prison guards.

The attacker, whom authorities identified as Joseph L. Druce, jammed the electronically operated cell door to prevent guards from opening it. He tied Geoghan's hands behind his back with a sheet and gagged him. He then repeatedly jumped from the bed in the cell onto Geoghan's motionless body and beat the defrocked priest with his fists.

Only one correction officer was on duty in the protective custody unit at the time, according to an account of the attack provided by Robert Brouillette, an executive of the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union, who interviewed correction officers for seven hours Saturday. State and county officials involved in the investigation would not comment on Brouillette's description.

Druce entered Geoghan's cell just before noon, Brouillette said, when the prisoners left their one-person concrete cells to return their lunch trays. The solid cell door has a chest-high window that guards can look through as they pass by. When the officer on duty heard noises coming from Geoghan's cell but could not open the cell door from the control panel at his station, other officers were summoned by walkie-talkie. It took several of them to pry open the door.

[pgkdan]

Geoghan was an evil creep, but nobody deserves to die this way. I'll pray for his family...they've certainly suffered enough.

[clamboat]

Jeez, that's a pretty horrific death.

[thoughtomator]

Surprised that he didn't get raped too in the process.

[hh007]

I disagree - he did deserve to die that way.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I think what he did is about the worst thing a person can do. He earned it.

[dagnabbit]

He then repeatedly jumped from the bed in the cell onto Geoghan's motionless body and beat the defrocked priest with his fists.

Man - that's a workout! Guess all the Stairmasters were in use at the gym.

[small_l_libertarian]

I agree with you - I can't summon up one ounce of sympathy for that evil, evil man.

[freebilly]

Geoghan may have deserve to die, but that should have been the State's decision. Unfortunately, Massachusetts has no death penalty. Geoghan's murderer will continue to serve his life sentence without any real punishment. Say what you will about California, at least we've a death penalty.

[Fred Mertz]

I disagree - he did deserve to die that way.

You need help.

[Congressman Billybob]

Now I understand the situation. As I understand, Massachusetts has no death penalty. The murderer here is already serving a life sentence. So, he has just committed a "free murder." He will be tried, convicted, and sent back to where he is.

Since this was both a "free murder" and a planned one -- rather than spur of the moment -- the immediate question is what the killer stood to gain. Does he have family or friends? Have they suddenly received some money? You see where this could be headed.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "In the Justices We Trust?" posted on FR, other publication to come.

[discostu]

Doesn't sound very painful, they could have done better.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

You have a death penalty, you just don't use it. That's much better. (/sarcasm)

[South40]

Sounds like he went too quick. He deserved worse.

[anymouse]

By the actions of his attacker, I'm guessing that the attacker had been similarly abused (raped) as a child, and this was his way of "getting even."

If it was a professional "hit" as some aledge, the attacker wouldn't have jumped up and down on someone they knew that they had just strangled to death.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

He needs help? What about me? I laugh at the thought of the depraved sick f--k being stomped to death. He molested over 100 boys. That is something they will all have to live with forever. I heard some reporterette refer to him as "Fatheer". What a silly b-tch. May he burn for eternity.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Maybe he didn't like perverts who abuse boys. FYI, it is common knowledge that child molestors are not looked upon kindly by the average thug. Even thugs have a code of honor.

[freebilly]

True, under Gray Davis there've only been 6 executions in the past four years, but that's six better than in Mass....

[Fred Mertz]

I laugh at the thought of the depraved sick f--k being stomped to death.

How can you write such a thing? Yes, you need help too.

[hole_n_one]

From the WP article......

"We may not ever find out why this happened, but it is not secret that [child molesters] are considered the lowest of the low in prison," said state Rep. Demetrius J. Atsalis (D). "They are considered targets."