[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.

[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.

[savedbygrace]

As I understand it, pedophiles are considered the lowest lifeform in prison. The killer didn't need a bribe.

[JulieRNR21]

Here's the latest from Reuters. Note that Druce's father said that his son had a 'grudge against homosexuals'.

Another reason to support the death penalty is that it prevents this kind of 'free killing' in prisons. Druce knows he'll just get another life sentence.

Prosecutors probe Geoghan's death

BOSTON (Aug. 24) - Prosecutors investigated on Sunday how a convicted murderer said to bear a grudge against homosexuals managed to strangle fellow inmate John Geoghan, a pedophile priest at the center of a church sex abuse scandal, inside one of Massachusetts' most secure prisons.

Geoghan was apparently killed by Joseph Druce, 37, Worcester County District Attorney John Conte said on Saturday, declining to say how he was choked to death. An autopsy is planned for Monday and murder charges will be filed.

The 68-year old defrocked priest, who was serving a sentence for groping a boy while they were swimming, was a central figure in the sex scandal that sent shockwaves through the Roman Catholic Church in the United States and abroad.

His prosecution helped uncover a string of pedophile cases that forced Cardinal Bernard Law to resign last year as leader of the Boston Archdiocese, home to more than two million Catholics and the emotional heart of the Church in the United States.

Geoghan's violent death shocked the city and more than 130 people who have filed lawsuits charging he abused them over a span of 40 years when he was being shuttled around several parishes in the Boston area.

''I had a moment of thinking 'He got what he deserved','' said Michael Linscott, 45, when heard the man who had molested him as an altar boy 37 years ago was murdered.

''As victims we will live in our own prison forever, but Geoghan got off easy. He is never going to hurt anyone again, but he still had a lot of penance to do on earth,'' Linscott said, biting his lip at a news conference.

CRIMINAL CASES CLOSED

Geoghan died at a time the Church is offering to pay $65 million to settle abuse cases. Mitchell Garabedian, a lawyer who represents more than 100 victims, said it was impossible to predict how the killing may affect these talks. But several criminal cases against Geoghan will now be closed, he said.

Officials refused to say how Druce, whose father said he held a grudge against homosexuals, managed to get near Geoghan in a special section of the Souza Baranowski prison 30 miles northwest of Boston where Geoghan was held in protective custody and had only limited contact with other prisoners.

''We can't release any details because the District Attorney's office is conducting an investigation,'' said Kelly Nantel, a spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections. Druce, who is serving a life sentence for murdering an elderly man, is now in isolation at the facility.

Psychiatrists say child molesters are often at great risk in prison because their fellow inmates -- convicted rapists, murderers and robbers -- tend to classify them as the most heinous criminals of all.

The Boston Globe reported that Druce's father, Dana Smiledge, said ''I can't understand why they would put a guy who would kill a sex offender in a cell with a sex offender.'' Nantel would not say whether Druce and Geoghan knew each other or were locked in the same cell. Geoghan was only recently moved to this prison, one of most secure in the state.

On Sunday morning nearby parishes offered a mass for Geoghan, whose death was called ''tragic'' by the Archdiocese.

''I'm glad they offered a mass for him. I just hope they offer a mass for the victims too,'' said John King, 40, who was abused as an altar boy by another priest in the Boston area.

The Archdiocese's new bishop, Sean O'Malley, is winning praise for confronting the scandal. He did not discuss the Geoghan murder in detail at mass on Sunday, but offered prayers to the ex-priest's family.

O'Malley did however signal a tough line with pedophile priests this weekend when his spokesman said four priests who stand accused of molesting children were put on indefinite administrative leave.

Reut16:06 08-24-03

[Mo1]

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.

Like this was a contract killing?

also .. I'll bet the family of Geoghan will sue the State of Massachusetts for not giving better security

[PISANO]

Since this was a "free murder

Whoever says the DEATH PENALTY doesn't deter killers needs to take a look at this POTENTIAL SERIAL killer and JUSTIFY his continued government care.

[connectthedots]

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.

side from a possible sinister plot to silence him and keep him from testifying against others (not too likely in my opinion, but posible), I would suggest the following:

1. Status within the prison population.

2. Respect from prison guards and other inmates.

3. Publicity that comes with being the person who 'meted out justice to a sexual predator.

4. A distorted sense that maybe he was making amends for whatever crimes he committed.

5. Maybe a perverted attempt to 'earn' the love and affection of his father he may not have gotten while growing up.

Who knows what else it could be. A rational person would not commit the crimes he did that resulted in life imprisonment, but that doesn't mean guys in prison who murder sexual predators don't have reasons based on their emotional/psychological make-up.

I do suspect that the guards were not all that concerned with the 'health' of Geoghan.