January 27, 1993

RAPE VICTIM OPPOSES PAROLE PLEA

Kathleen A. Shaw; Staff Reporter, Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)

The Rev. Robert E. Kelley, who pleaded guilty in 1990 to raping a girl in Gardner, is being considered for parole, but the victim and her family are strongly opposing his release.

Edward J. Dolan, executive director of the state Parole Board, said a hearing was held Jan. 15 on the request by Kelley, a Roman Catholic priest. Action was delayed because the board wanted more information, Dolan said.

The victim has decided to identify herself publicly to encourage other sexual-abuse victims to come forward, her lawyer said yesterday.
Jennifer A. Kraskouskas, now 19, of Gardner, said the rapes, which began in 1983 when she was 10, left her emotionally damaged. She urged that Kelley, 51, former pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Gardner, be incarcerated for his full five- to seven-year term, given on March 30, 1990.

"I am totally against release prior to the date at which his full sentence is completed, and hope you will seriously consider my feelings on this matter," she said in a statement to the board.

WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Victims are allowed to present written statements, but cannot attend parole hearings. Worcester District Attorney John J. Conte said he was not notified of the proceeding. Thomas F. McEvilly, Kelley's lawyer, declined to comment.

Parole would allow Kelley out of prison early, on condition of good behavior.

Robert L. Rice Jr., the Fitchburg lawyer representing Kraskouskas and her family, said Kelley has been allowed out on work release. Kelley's sentence called for time in the maximum-security prison in Walpole. He is now at the South Middlesex Correctional Center, a minimum-security pre-release center in Framingham, according to Robin Bavaro, spokeswoman for the state Department of Correction.

Kraskouskas, a freshman at Northeastern University in Boston, was molested and raped by Kelley between 1983 and 1985 at various places in Gardner, Rice said. Kelley pleaded guilty of assault with intent to rape and two counts each of unnatural rape of a child and indecent assault and battery on a child.
Rice said the Kraskouskas family was active in the Sacred Heart parish when Kelley was pastor.

Kraskouskas is doing well in college and is a champion swimmer, Rice said, "but she was robbed of her childhood by Father Kelley and she continues to suffer the effects of the abuse." She is withdrawn and has problems being with people, he said.

SPEAKING FOR FAMILY

Rice said he was speaking for the family in opposing Kelley's release, and that Jennifer was not immediately available for comment.

If Kelley is released, Rice said, the family wants stipulations that he will never return to Gardner or work in a job in which he is in contact with children.
Rice told the board in a letter earlier this month that an investigation done for him shows there could be 17 other victims of Kelley. He also questioned the actions of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester in supervising Kelley.

"It is our contention that the diocese was aware of Kelley's pedophilia activities and we are investigating leads relating to that possibility," Rice said.
The diocese sent Kelley to the House of Affirmation, a treatment center in St. Louis, Mo., in 1985. He remained there for 14 months.

Rice said that during a meeting in 1990 with Jennifer and her parents, Anthony and Jacqueline Kraskouskas, Bishop Timothy J. Harrington promised Jennifer he would take care of her. "The bishop told her to move forward and get on with her life," Rice said.

That was the last time the woman or her family heard from the bishop, he said.

A telephone call seeking comment from Harrington was returned by Monsignor Edmond T. Tinsley, who said he was not aware of the meeting involving Jennifer and Harrington. Tinsley said the diocese would not get involved with the parole proceeding and that the disposition was up to the Parole Board.
James G. Reardon, a lawyer representing the diocese, said he was aware of some correspondence on behalf of the Kraskouskas family. But he declined to discuss specifics.

"My only comment at this particular time is the matter is under consideration and investigation," Reardon said. "At the proper time after further investigation, we will be in a position to make a decision in the matter."

Kraskouskas told the court in a 1990 victim-impact statement that she was distrustful and wary of adult men and feared she would not be able to have a normal relationship when she was older. Where she was once called the "little nun," she no longer attends Mass, she said. Rice said she receives regular counseling.

Kraskouskas said in the statement that at the time she was being molested by Kelley, her mother started talking to her about sexuality.
"She explained to me that sex was to be held in respect between two married individuals, and not to be used otherwise. When I heard this, I began to feel even more guilt, for I had already gone against what she told me," she said.

Kraskouskas told the court she had no knowledge of sex and had never seen a naked man before Kelley started molesting her. She said she found sex with Kelley "to be appalling" but she went along with it because "he was a respected authority figure."

She initially told no one of the abuse because she "felt guilty for letting it happen" and thought she was at fault, she said. At age 15, she told Michelle D'Acri, a guidance counselor at Gardner High School, who, as required by state law, alerted authorities.

"An investigation was started immediately," Rice said.

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