Man Given Parole in Mass. Day Care Case

My Way, Associated Press. ^ | Oct 17 2003 | By JENNIFER PETER

[carlo3b]

Man Given Parole in Mass. Day Care Case

Oct 17, 8:38 PM (ET)
By JENNIFER PETER
BOSTON (AP) - A man convicted of raping eight youngsters in one of the nation's most lurid - and bitterly disputed - child-molestation cases has been granted parole and could go free next spring after 17 years in prison.

Gerald "Tooky" Amirault was found guilty in 1986 of abusing children at his family's suburban day-care center and was sentenced to 30 to 40 years in prison. His mother and sister were convicted in a separate trial.

The Amiraults argued that they were victims of sex abuse hysteria that swept the country in the 1980s.

In a decision announced Friday, the parole board said Amirault, 49, has already served a long prison term, has strong support from his family and the community, and had a minimal prior criminal history.

"It's been very difficult, but his innocence is what gave us strength to fight this through many battles," said Amirault's wife, Patti. "It's time to put this whole thing to rest for both sides and let everyone get on with their lives."

His earliest release date would be April 30, said Edward Principe, spokesman for the state Public Safety Department.

"I knew it was going to come someday," said Barbara Standke, 47, whose son was one of the victims. "The parole officer told me he would have to stay away from children, and at this point I guess that's all we can ask for. But it's not going to help my son any."

Under state law, Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley has six months to file a petition seeking Amirault's civil commitment as a sexually dangerous person. A spokeswoman said Coakley had not yet decided whether to do so.

The Amiraults claimed they were railroaded by questionable testimony from child witnesses.

One child told of being molested by a clown in a "magic room." Some told tales of being hung from a tree naked in front of their classmates, or of watching one of the women dismember animals. Their stories were never corroborated.

Amirault's sister, Cheryl Amirault LeFave, and mother, Violet Amirault, were freed in 1995 on appeal after claiming they were denied the right to literally confront their child accusers - who were allowed to face the other way while testifying.

Violet Amirault died in 1997, while the case was still winding through the courts. Her daughter's conviction was reinstated in 1999, but LeFave was allowed to go free anyway when a judge ruled the eight years she had served in prison were enough.

"I had a few breaks throughout my incarceration and only had to serve eight years, but he's been in for 17," LeFave said. "This is the first good news he's been able to get. And we're ecstatic."

In 2001, the state Board of Pardons unanimously recommended commuting Amirault's sentence, saying there was "substantial doubt" about his guilt. Acting Gov. Jane Swift refused.

The families of 16 children, including the eight who testified in the child abuse cases, received $20 million in damages.

A number of mass child-abuse convictions from the 1980s have been overturned; the Little Rascals day care center in Edenton, N.C., and the McMartin Preschool in Los Angeles were among the most notorious such cases.

[jellybean]

I have some friends who recently went through this same type of tragedy. They had a day care in their home for many years. Suddenly allegations of inappropriate touching by the husband began to emerge. Knowing the couple as I do. I thought the allegations were bogus. But the police and the DA pursued the investigation and it eventually went to trial. After 2 years of living under this shadow, nearly losing everything and going through pure hell, he was found innocent of all charges. They're putting their lives back together now, but it's a bitter subject to discuss with them.

[laredo44]

janet reno and a other prosecutors around the country road this questionable method of child testimony to fame and fortune only to have most of the cases thrown out on appeal.

Reno's victimes included Grant Snowden who she persecuted as Fla's attorney general. Snowden's plight is one of those chronicled by Rabinowicz inf the WJS. Abominable behavior.

Amirault spent his children's youth in prison and his sister, I believe spent her prime reporductive time behind bars -- not sure if she ever had any. To me, these tragedies are as bad as executing and innocent person. What they lost can never be replaced.

[jellybean]

I have been told the cost of insuring a daycare center quadrupled as a result of this horrible abuse of justice. After these thing happened a lot of really good folks just closed up shop and sold off the equipment or converted to tutoring and adult senior centers... sad

If memory serves, this was all happening at the same time there was a big push for federal day care centers. I think this was part of an orchestrated plan to close down small, private day-cares so they could manufacture a crisis and force the government into providing this service. They've always wanted to herd all the children into re-education centers and take away control and influence of the parents.

[carlo3b]

There will be very little that these folks can do to totally restore their credibility in your community again.. I would suggest that they move away and not look back until the whole thing pass from their minds.. I can't help it but just hate these people!

[carlo3b]

big push for federal day care centers... re-education center

Bingo and they are still winning that battle, as long as women go back to work, without ever putting a pencil to the total costs of doing so.. I proved it to my old neighbor, I made her add everything up, including the daycare, clothes, gas, and tutoring for each of her kids over the years she was working.

The Doctor bills went up drastically as well because she had to bring the kids to the doctor to get a statement from the Dr. every times the kids had a minor cold, that could have been treated with TLC at home.. the day care wouldn't watch them unless they furnished that note.. plus she had tom pay another babysitter at home during the days that the minor fever took it's course.. she was furious when we were finished.. she missed her babies growing up, and lost money to boot.. truly sad!

[jellybean]

I'm sure there are some in the community who still look ascance at them, but they have their family and friends who supported them. They've put it behind them for the most part, but the bitterness is still there when the subject is broached.

[razorback-bert]

Liberals really believe the phycobabble crap, so I use it, when discussing anything with them. All you have to do is use the buzz words, throw in a few made up facts and figures and viola.

[razorback-bert]

Liberals really believe the phycobabble crap, so I use it, when discussing anything with them. All you have to do is use the buzz words, throw in a few made up facts and figures and viola.

[razorback-bert]

Hmmm, must bear repeating.

[jellybean]

I did the same calculations back in the mid 80's when I was working at our local hospital as a nursing assistant. The hospital was changing to primary nursing care and laying off many aides. I would have made the cut, but chose to take a voluntary lay-off so I could be at home with my 7 yo son. It was more cost effective for me to live on unemployment for a few months rather than pay a babysitter plus the additional expenses of working.

It took some time for my son to understand that his babysitter didn't have the final word on what he would and would not do! He didn't think he had to listen to me because I wasn't his babysitter. THAT was truly sad...

[Vinnie]

Reno's victimes included Grant Snowden who she persecuted as Fla's attorney general. Snowden's plight is one of those chronicled by Rabinowicz inf the WJS. Abominable behavior.

Is that the case of the 16 yr old European boy she destroyed?

I remember a little about that case. The family moved back to Europe, the boy ruined.

[dennisw]

He wuz framed. And lunatic prosecutors made their reputations and will never apologize.

[carlo3b]

Hmmm, must bear repeating.

I agree, I agree.. :)

[Hildy]

There was a big case here in San Diego in the early 90's. Same kind of thing. What made it even more emotional is that the guy was physically disabled and apparently beloved by everyone. The stories were ridiculous and for months it was headline news. When the jury went to deliberate, they came back in five minutes with a not guilty plea and the police Dept. gave the guy a limo to take home. It was so obvious what was going on. But the guy spent alot of time in jail. For Nothing. Does anyone remember the case? I'm going to try to look it up and post a story on the details. I always thought it would make a great movie.

[Hildy]

Here's a link I found about this case while searching for something else. It's by Dorothy Rabinowitz

A DARKNESS IN MASSACHUSSETTS

[Hildy]

Dale Akiki, that was the name of the man. He won a huge settlement for San Diego County for false prosecution.

[laredo44]

Reno's victimes included Grant Snowden who she persecuted as Fla's attorney general. Snowden's plight is one of those chronicled by Rabinowicz inf the WJS. Abominable behavior.

Is that the case of the 16 yr old European boy she destroyed?

No, Snowden was a Florida police officer accused in a daycare case there. She kept hounding him after juries refused to convict.

[mrustow]

If memory serves, this was all happening at the same time there was a big push for federal day care centers. I think this was part of an orchestrated plan to close down small, private day-cares so they could manufacture a crisis and force the government into providing this service. They've always wanted to herd all the children into re-education centers and take away control and influence of the parents.

Tinfoil hat alert! And who, pray tell, was running the operation?

[TroutStalker]

Gerald Amirault's Day