The Case Against Keating: Plea Bargains Repeatedly Let Rapists Off the Hook
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Plea Bargains Repeatedly Let Rapists Off the Hook
Long Series of Accounts Shows Leniency, Disregard for Law and Order Washington- As Bill Keating continues his negative and hypocritical campaign, he’s learning the hard way that accounts from his failed tenure as District Attorney are coming back to haunt him. On multiple occasions, Keating has let accused rapists off the hook, failing to punish criminals who may have committed appalling violent crimes.
“Bill Keating’s willingness to hand lesser charges to lawbreakers accused of rape demonstrates a disturbing lack of judgment for a man who wants to represent Massachusetts families in Congress,” said NRCC spokeswoman Joanna Burgos. “Sadly, Keating has a long and documented history of leniency toward some of society’s most appalling criminals that cannot be undone. Keating’s record of siding with criminals should disqualify him from public service and cast serious doubt on any of his hypocritical attacks.” CASE #1: Rape Case at a Temple
INDICTMENT: Robert D. Shapiro was indicted on 21 counts of rape and sexual assault on a mentally retarded person “In a plea bargain with the Norfolk County district attorney’s office, the remaining seven counts of rape against Shapiro were dropped. Shapiro will not serve time in prison.” (Logan C. Ritchie, “Cantor Pleads Guilty to Assault/Battery Charges,” The Jewish Advocate, 10/7/2005)
“Robert D. Shapiro, 73, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of indecent assault and battery on a mentally retarded person in 2005, but cut a deal and managed to avoid jail time. He was sentenced to a year of house arrest and 10 years probation. Satin said the woman Shapiro admitted to abusing was in her late 20s, but had the mental functioning of a 5- to 7-year-old child. Satin said Shapiro, due to his friendship with the family and his status in the temple, was the only person outside her family who was allowed to see her unsupervised. (O’Ryan Johnson, “Cantor to Cough Up $8.4M for Sex Abuse,” Boston Herald, 9/15/2006) CASE #2: Rape Case at a School
INDICTMENT: Brookline High School choir director was indicted for rape “A former Brookline High choir director pleaded guilty this week to raping a former student of his, prosecutors said. Geoffrey Dana Hicks, 49, of Newton, pleaded guilty to two counts of statutory rape in exchange for prosecutors’ recommending a sentence of no jail time. . . . The victim told police Hicks had sex with her several years ago when she was a student. (Boston Herald, “Ex-Brookline Teacher Pleads Guilty to Rape,” 1/31/2004) Plea Bargain Bill Routinely Let Rapists, Violent Criminals Off Easy
The Patriot Ledger: “Do A Crime, Serve Less Time In Norfolk”
A report confirms that Keating has a record of going easy on criminals, with only 16 of 235 defendants going to trial in 2000: “In Norfolk County, 190- or 80 percent- of the 235 defendants whose cases were resolved last year in Superior Court pleaded guilty, while 16 went to trial and nine had their cases dismissed. The office of District Attorney William R. Keating chose not to prosecute the cases of 14 others, and charges against six other defendants were disposed of in some other fashion.” (Gary V. Murray, “Plea Deals Keep Courts Functioning,” 2/25/01) An investigative report shows that defendants who pleaded guilty to rape under Keating’s jurisdiction repeatedly served more lenient sentences than they would have in a neighboring county:
“Among the findings: Defendants who copped to pleas in Norfolk County to forcible rape and attempted rape were sentenced to less than half the amount of time as those in Plymouth County.” (Karen Eschbacher, “Investigative Report; Bargaining For Justice; Do A Crime, Serve Less Time In Norfolk. DAs Take Different Routes To Justice,” The Patriot Ledger, 6/25/05)
Additionally, the report also shows that defendants who admitted guilt in cases that involved drugs and robbery were less likely to receive incarceration than those who pleaded guilty to similar crimes the same neighboring county:
“Norfolk defendants who admitted guilt in cases that involved drugs and robbery were less likely to receive incarceration than those who pleaded guilty to similar crimes in Plymouth. At least some charges were dropped or reduced in nearly half of Norfolk County robbery cases. Only two robbery cases had charges reduced in Plymouth County.” (Karen Eschbacher, “Investigative Report; Bargaining For Justice; Do A Crime, Serve Less Time In Norfolk. DAs Take Different Routes To Justice,” The Patriot Ledger, 6/25/05)
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