January 14, 2008

Judge orders opening of files in Clergy case regarding the murder of Danny Croteau.  Springfield, Republic Newspaper to gain access to records.

Unlike the Worcester Telegram whose silence and lack of effort has protected the Worcester Diocese the Springfield Republic newspaper is to be complemented on their efforts in the murder case of Danny Croteau and now-defrocked priest Richard R. Lavigne. Their efforts also now bring to light the collusion between District Attorney’s, the Massachusetts State Police and the Catholic Church many believe is still openly being practiced in Massachusetts today.

Superior Court judge John A. Agostini has ordered Hampden County District Attorney William M. Bennett to release more investigative files in the 36-year-old unsolved murder of altar boy Danny Croteau, including a witness' allegations that she was pressured by the then bishop and district attorney about information concerning a priest who was a suspect.

An unnamed woman who spoke to police in 2004, said she told investigators 32 years earlier that she told the district attorney in 1972 about seeing Lavigne at the murder site, but that the district attorney "warned her that she could lose her job or have a defamation claim against her if what she claimed she saw 'got out.'"

"This statement alleges a grave abuse of authority by the district attorney in 1972, and raises concerns about law enforcement authorities' relationship with the Diocese and the handling of evidence incriminating Lavigne," the judge stated

In regards to the Springfield Republic's efforts yesterdays the article quotes "In his decisions, Judge Agostini relies heavily on the often-cited Supreme Judicial Court decision in The Republican Company v. Appeals Court, in which case attorney Jon Albano and I worked hard, at great expense to the newspaper, to establish severe restrictions on impoundment as the law of the commonwealth, articulated by its highest court," Joseph P. Pessolano, a lawyer for the newspaper, said yesterday.

In Worcester Country which has never seen real exposure of the true extent of clergy sexual abuse, currently faces no hope of assistance from the Worcester Telegram.  In fact the Telegram’s “association” with newly elected DA Joseph Early once again has become evident.  

One could understand the actions of protection by the seasoned John Conte, Catholic District Attorney who remained in office by his Catholic association.

No plausible explanation however, can be established as for a reason of the recently exposed actions of newly elected Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.   

The recent exposure of the factually misrepresented State police statements to Worcester District Court in the case of Fr John Szantyr reveled in the January 8^th ruling by Judge David Ricciardone can only be viewed as Worcester ADA Joseph Reilly III providing defense for the defendant.

In fact, the Szantyr case has received much more media coverage from the Boston Herald than the Telegram who rushes to print any issues pushed forward by Worcester Bishop Robert McManus. Other serious issues such as the current three complaints filed against the Worcester Office of Healing co-director Frances Nugent’s social workers license has fail to make it to print.      

Catholic children are no safer in Worcester County today than twenty years ago. It still remains it is not the action of sexual abuse but who the accused are.