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.

[Bluntpoint]

How many of us when at first we heard Saddam's evil sons were gunned down by American troops were happy about it? Now don't tell me that bummed you out...

The story behind the crimes of the Saddam boys is not one they are still trying to deny and blame on outside agitators.

[dennisw]

Where did you find this information? According to the article he was only serving time for "groping" one boy while swimming. If you were "groped" by some pervert would you let it destroy your life or just laugh it off? ........


He raped many boys but did it a while back. Beyond statuate of limitations. All the Commonwealth could pin on him was the groping.

[Kevin Curry]

Possibly. But if that's true, it'll come out in the investigation, and that person's career is toast.

Depending on the exact circumstances, a guard who was complicit in this could be prosecuted for first or second degree murder.

[1smallVoice]

Geoghan's murder was not an accident, God was in control and could have spared him. Circumstances lead me to believe that Geoghan had used up any mercy from God so He let the demons on earth have him.

[1smallVoice]

If God had wanted him to live he would be alive. God withdrew his mercy and left an evil man to deal with the demons on earth.

Another message sent to pedofiles going to prison.

[Guillermo]

All the reports I read indicated that this Priest was remorseless and unrepentant.

I can't say I'm happy with what happened, but at the same time I cannot muster any sympathy for this beast.

[dagoofyfoot]

You need help


I guess I could use some help too. Post number 7 had me laughing so hard, I gott'a wipe the coffee off my keyboard!

[Ghengis]

...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...

Which undoubtedly the reason either this convict was chosen or volunteered to do this deed. There's a definite hierarchy within those walls and the death penalty had been passed down on this pedophile. That is the one criminal act that even convicts do not tolerate.

[Snowy]

But I still think some of the victims' relatives may have arranged it.

I would think so. My 'mother bear' instinct would probably cause me to seriously consider it if one of my kids were involved with this animal.

[StolarStorm]

"just laugh it off? "

Apparently this has never happened to you. Laugh it off, indeed.

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

I think satan was bringing one of his boys home.

[PleaseNoMore]

I completely agree with you.

[fortaydoos]

You need to understand that this evil, twisted freak destroyed hundreds of lives. He got off easy.

[PleaseNoMore]

I actually felt pity for them. For all the horrors and atrocities that they committed, God would have forgiven them. Same with Goeghan, regardless of how many he abused God would have forgiven him as well. And He would have forgiven them all regardless of whether we "like" it or not. You know, I heard one of the victims speak and say that even he did not believe that the priest deserved this. He had more compassion for "his enemy" than those here on FR and those here on FR were not his victims ( at least no one has come forward and said as much ).

[fortaydoos]

and we can only guess at the hundreds of victims who were (wrongfully) ashamed to come forward. This sick freak prayed upon boys from broken homes time and time again, deliberately planning his sick attacks. May he rot in hell.

[dagoofyfoot]

I think Satan was bringing one of his boys home


Satan would be proud!

[StolarStorm]

Thank God you're not in charge of national defense.

[PleaseNoMore]

Your thanking God for me NOT being in charge of national defense has nothing to do with my post.

[fortaydoos]

How do you feel about the death of the Hussein boys? Hitler too. Thanks.

(Just as an fyi, God of course can and will forgive those who are repentent, but not those like geoghan who lauged at the misery he caused right to his perverted end)

[StolarStorm]

Contrary to what some of the holier and thou types keep saying, forgiveness isn't an issue here. Forgiveness does not mean that justice should not be served.