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Closer look at Coakley's prosecution of pedophile priest

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Play from 0:04[0:04] ..." time when believing. Of the candidates in the polls anyway. The State's Attorney General Martha Coakley was an assistant district attorney in Middlesex county and was involved in the prosecution of pedophile Catholic priests. The Boston Globe this"...

Play from 0:57[0:57] ..." me ask you first wall is is this a fair criticism. Of Martha Coakley who headed the unit at that time not to go to full trial."...

Play from 4:07[4:07] ..." day and eventually as we said. Watergate and was prosecuted -- but Martha Coakley in another case. And that was sent -- forward for that crime. But there's also the the question of how hostile jury"...

Play from 6:11[6:11] ..." same time and let's not forget here here's what I think matters. Martha Coakley is running for federal office. Mike kept a Lotto is reportedly second in line. In terms -- who's ahead in the race."...

Play from 6:30[6:30] ..." Massachusetts participation in the Adam Walsh act that we're talking about. A federal law so that federal questions should be in front of these folks."...

Play from 6:40[6:40] ..." The Adam Walsh act which wants. Sorry my sent -- to land a cabinet that the damned thing. Wonder."...

Play from 6:51[6:51] ..." What we really should be doing is asking Martha Coakley Mike kept you want -- and all the other candidates."...

Play from 6:57[6:57] ..." you are elected to congress to -- support Massachusetts participation in the Adam Walsh act the federal. Law. "...

Play from 7:45[7:45] ..." Victims' advocate and former assistant district attorney and colleague of Attorney General Martha Coakley when she was in that same office Wendy Murphy Boston attorney Wendy thanks very much erupt."...

Play from 0:00[0:00]" New controversy is surrounding the race for the US senate the dates back to the time when believing. Of the candidates in the polls anyway. The State's Attorney General Martha Coakley was an assistant district attorney in Middlesex county and was involved in the prosecution of pedophile Catholic priests. The Boston Globe this morning reports that father. Jack gay -- who was one of the worst offenders. Of those Catholic priests who were later brought to account and was later prosecuted -- prison and murdered in prison. Was actually the subject of a plea deal that had been made about fifteen years ago. He was accused of touching inappropriately. Three Brothers in Waltham. And the prosecution. Did not take him to trial instead making a probation deal joining us this morning. He is a former member of that. Assistant district attorney sexual crimes unit child abuse unit. In Cambridge and noted child advocate Wendy Murphy and let me ask you first wall is is this a fair criticism. Of Martha Coakley who headed the unit at that time not to go to full trial."

Play from 1:04[1:04]" You know hindsight of course is it -- much clear right and we feel differently now about priest abuse cases -- the kickbacks and I think it's only appropriate to criticize public official if you think they did something wrong. -- nonetheless an and I think it real criticism here is. You know could she have done more to proceed with the case. I think the answer is probably not and you don't know what's tougher than I am I worked with mark as she was no. You know lightweight on child abuse and attain that but. We're talking about three young boys who was described being basically touched on the leg or having background. Now there's no question what -- it was doing was predatory. Which sexual was inappropriate."

Play from 1:52[1:52]" But under the law even now. Somebody giving a child and background."

Play from 1:58[1:58]" Probably can't be prosecuted for sex crimes because -- in an indecent assault and battery means you have to touch a child in place the generally understood to be pried it placed an -- probably doesn't rise to that level. So on the one hand. We know what a terrible -- this guy wise."

Play from 2:18[2:18]" On the other hand give -- credit she got some kind of deal indicate that had she gone to trial she probably --"

Play from 2:25[2:25]" Do we you aware of this specific case at the time Wendy Murphy."

Play from 2:29[2:29]" I was not in the opposite the times though. I was unaware of it to. But. You know what's interesting is every one and knows now how serious the priest abuse problem was especially in Massachusetts."

Play from 2:45[2:45]" And yet I think it with the -- should do with the wants to be fair except my church -- It should compare what -- in that case to -- all the other DA in the the state we're doing at the time when similar kinds of reports were brought to their attention and -- the answer is. They never ever prosecuted priest except for extremely rare cases it just was. Considered politically. You know untenable."

Play from 3:11[3:11]" To even consider. So you can -- you can criticize her for not bringing the public prosecution because I agree with this part of the article."

Play from 3:19[3:19]" It might have brought more victims out. Sooner and and that's a good thing one of the reasons to prosecute just to make more -- public event about it because. Usually predators has many victims and when one person comes so it helps the other kids to come forward not a good thing."

Play from 3:36[3:36]" As I think -- after criticism but but what's missing in the globe story is that. Prosecutors in this state. Were refusing to prosecute so I don't think it's necessarily."

Play from 3:48[3:48]" The right level of criticism it's it's I think it's at this heavy handed frankly."

Play from 3:54[3:54]" it isn't it turned out of course the Catholic Church had thousands of pages of documents. Relating to charges against. Father John Aiken and those eventually were grow saw the light of day and eventually as we said. Watergate and was prosecuted -- but Martha Coakley in another case. And that was sent -- forward for that crime. But there's also the the question of how hostile jury she might of faced back fifteen years ago back before this thing really broke open."

Play from 4:25[4:25]" You know again you have to speculate a little bit but I've prosecuted cases before and ninety eyes and I'm sure --"

Play from 4:33[4:33]" But the most part reflect our public our collective sentiment and -- that -- the -- Had trouble be leaving that a man of god could hurt a child you can bet that would -- A big factor in likely acquittal. But I think really just being objective -- Excused by the way prosecutors do the right thing no matter -- What is -- matter who is accused they should do the right thing and it seems to meet market didn't doubt the credibility of these children which is a good thing."

Play from 5:00[5:00]" But but again is that if the allegations art that. That the perpetrators touching the children on the back."

Play from 5:07[5:07]" You have to ask whether prosecutor who is ethically obligated only to bring charges were they believe they can -- beyond a reasonable doubt."

Play from 5:15[5:15]" Would have gotten in trouble from the other side of the pants you know what would she even -- Sustained. The charges were there had been a motion to dismiss that wouldn't. Eliminated the case even before making it to injury because the defense -- at what's indecent about tax -- out on the back now we know. That -- child on the back is typically a pattern of grooming behavior especially wicked streak it's in the intently but a prosecutor can only deal with crime. The grooming process itself is not necessarily criminal so you know what market did was get. A probation ordered that -- and it is engage all sorts of inappropriate behavior and and that's not passing it."

Play from 5:54[5:54]" It's not prosecute not -- it's certainly -- jail."

Play from 5:58[5:58]" But given what he did it's not nothing and I would -- I wish somebody would try to check the data I would bet which he didn't -- was. -- more substantial than what most prosecutors in this state we're doing at the same time and let's not forget here here's what I think matters. Martha Coakley is running for federal office. Mike kept a Lotto is reportedly second in line. In terms -- who's ahead in the race. And both of them should be asked the question."

Play from 6:28[6:28]" Williams support."

Play from 6:30[6:30]" Massachusetts participation in the Adam Walsh act that we're talking about. A federal law so that federal questions should be in front of these folks."

Play from 6:39[6:39]" And."

Play from 6:40[6:40]" The Adam Walsh act which wants. Sorry my sent -- to land a cabinet that the damned thing. Wonder."

Play from 6:51[6:51]" What we really should be doing is asking Martha Coakley Mike kept you want -- and all the other candidates."

Play from 6:56[6:56]" If you are elected to congress to -- support Massachusetts participation in the Adam Walsh act the federal. Law. "

Play from 7:04[7:04]" That will."

Play from 7:05[7:05]" Go so far to protect all children and Massachusetts from predatory sex offenders. The glow let that won't cover that because they have historically written stories that are not support -- that the at a -- act but that's the thing I care about but I don't elect somebody. To federal office."

Play from 7:22[7:22]" I want them to say that they believed that a national sex offender database is good for our nation's children because predators."

Play from 7:29[7:29]" Are so -- they moved so quickly from state to state. Talk about something for fifteen years ago. That is arguably not much of the story I wanna talk about what they're gonna do when they get to Washington to protect my children by supporting massachusetts' role in the Adam loss."

Play from 7:45[7:45]" Victims' advocate and former assistant district attorney and colleague of Attorney General Martha Coakley when she was in that same office Wendy Murphy Boston attorney Wendy thanks very much erupt."

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