Slaps on the Wrist for Sex Offenders Who ‘Destroyed Innocence and Trust’

October 23, 2010

Slaps on the Wrist for Sex Offenders Who ‘Destroyed Innocence and Trust’
Keating Was Repeatedly Soft on Rapists, Criminals Who Escaped Jail Time

Washington- The painful legacy of Bill Keating’s shameful tenure as district attorney continues to haunt him on the campaign trail. His leniency toward rapists is already well-documented, but reports continue to build the case that Keating is unfit to serve.

“Bill Keating’s repeated failure to stand up for rape victims is deplorable, and this latest example is no exception,” said NRCC spokeswoman Joanna Burgos. “If Keating can’t stand up for society’s most vulnerable and most traumatized victims by putting rapists behind bars, he is clearly incapable of standing up for Massachusetts families. Keating’s time in office shows a pattern of reckless and dangerous behavior that Massachusetts simply can’t afford.”

CASE #3: Statutory Rape, Child Porn & A Local High School

INDICTMENT: Four defendants were charged with “raping at least one of three 15-year-old girls”

KEATING’S PLEA DEAL? NO JAIL TIME for any of the defendants

“In February, four 17-year-old Braintree High students, including three members of the varsity hockey team, were charged with raping at least one of three 15-year-old girls. Police called it an ongoing scheme to have sex with their underage classmates. At least one of the girls was assaulted twice by two of the defendants, police said. The arrests came after one of the alleged victims told school officials that she had been raped by someone she knew.” (Boston Globe, “Year in Review,” 12/26/2002)

“David Seckinger, 19, yesterday pleaded guilty to assault and battery in connection with a 2002 incident with a then-15-year-old girl. He had been charged with one count of statutory rape. Steven R. Dunn, 19, pleaded guilty to indecent assault and battery on a child over age 14. He had been charged with two counts of statutory rape. . . . Two other teenagers, Joseph Fratto and John J. Gould III, both 19, pleaded guilty to lesser charges. . . . In February, Fratto admitted to three counts of statutory rape, and Gould admitted to two counts as part of a plea agreement. Fratto, who videotaped one of the sexual encounters, also pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. Gould also pleaded guilty to indecent assault and battery on a child over 14.” (Jessica Fargen, “Teens’ Rape Case Ends With Lesser Plea, Probation Deal Struck When Victim Won’t Testify,” The Patriot Ledger, 4/2/2004)

“The victim’s cousin read a statement on her behalf. ‘Something so devastating happened to me on January 2002 that I will never be able to forget,’ the victim’s cousin read. ‘High school used to be fun.’ The victim said her grades dropped and she felt ‘physically ill. I live in constant fear of the defendants … Now I find it hard to trust anyone.’ The victim’s aunt, on behalf of the victim’s parents, said the defendants continue to taunt the victim. ‘Neither you or your family have shown any remorse,’ she told the defendants.” (Jessica Fargen, “Teens’ Rape Case Ends With Lesser Plea, Probation Deal Struck When Victim Won’t Testify,” The Patriot Ledger, 4/2/2004)

“You will have a life to live with the harm you have caused,’ [Judge John C.] Cratsley told the two men. ‘You have destroyed innocence and trust. It was reckless and ill-conceived behavior on your part.’ … Prosecutor Sabine Coyne said the families of the girls had hoped that Fratto and Gould would go to prison for what they did. . . . Prosecutors dropped seven counts of forcible rape of a child under 16 against Fratto and three counts of the same charge against Gould. Four additional counts of statutory rape, five more counts of possession of child pornography and a charge of indecent assault and battery on a child over 14 against Fratto were also dropped. Gould had a third count of statutory rape dropped against him.” (Dennis Tatz, “2 Men Sentenced in Teen Rape Case, Probation Ordered for Ex-Braintree High Athletes,” The Patriot Ledger, 2/21/2004)

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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