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CNN Live Sunday
Massachusetts Authorities Investigate Geoghan's Killing
Aired August 24, 2003 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Prosecutors in Massachusetts are investigating the killing of convicted pedophile and ex-priest John Geoghan. He was apparently strangled by another inmate, a convicted killer, at a state prison near Worcester. We get details now from CNN's Michael Okwu. Good morning once again, Michael.
MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi. That's right. State officials believe that the defrocked priest, John Geoghan, was in fact strangled to death by another inmate.
Now, it all happened about 12:00 noon yesterday in correctional facility in Shirley, Massachusetts. Authorities say that he was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead about two hours later.
Geoghan was serving nine to ten years for the molestation of a 10-year-old boy in 1991. Geoghan's case completely rocked the Roman Catholic church in Boston after revelations that he had been shuttled, essentially, from parish to parish despite church leaders knowing about his behavior and about accusations. In fact, some 130 people accused him of sexual abuse during his 30-plus years in the service, and in six different parishes.
After accusations about Geoghan became public, more accusations about other priests became known. A lawyer, Mitchell Garabean, represents about 147 victims. The big issue now is what will happen to the other cases that have not been settled. About 80 or so cases were settled many months ago for about $10 million.
In the meantime, the inmate involved in the killing, we understand, from officials, is in isolation. This is somebody who is already serving a life sentence. Heidi?
COLLINS: All right. CNN's Michael Okwu this morning. Thanks so much for the update on all of this, Michael.
I spoke earlier this morning with Ambassador Raymond Flynn about Geoghan's death. Flynn is the former mayor of Boston and served as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. He told me Geoghan's death is another tragic twist in a tragic story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RAYMOND FLYNN, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE VATICAN: Nobody deserves to meet this kind of violent murder in a state-run prison. But Heidi, the environment is so hostile that, you know, John Geoghan was a dead man walking, whether he was in or outside of prison, because what's happening in Boston, the archdiocese of Boston around the clergy sex abuse scandal.
COLLINS: How so? What do you mean by that?
FLYNN: Well, the fact is that the reputations of even good, faithful, loyal priests that we have in Boston, the archdiocese of Boston who have not been involved in anything are really embarrassed. People have turned on them. Some people have turned on them. It is just a -- it's a very unsettling situation, and John, of course, was charged with these crimes. He hasn't gone to court with them except for one incident with a six-year jail term and despicable as the crimes are, you know, the fact is that questions come up. Can anybody get a fair trial? Is anybody safe in prison?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: On a related note now, four priests in the archdiocese of Boston have taken voluntary leaves of absence over allegations of sexual misconduct with minors. The alleged incidents were all said to have occurred decades ago. The new archbishop of Boston asked the four to step aside until the allegations are investigated.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 24, 2003 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Prosecutors in Massachusetts are investigating the killing of convicted pedophile and ex-priest John Geoghan. He was apparently strangled by another inmate, a convicted killer, at a state prison near Worcester. We get details now from CNN's Michael Okwu. Good morning once again, Michael.
MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi. That's right. State officials believe that the defrocked priest, John Geoghan, was in fact strangled to death by another inmate.
Now, it all happened about 12:00 noon yesterday in correctional facility in Shirley, Massachusetts. Authorities say that he was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead about two hours later.
Geoghan was serving nine to ten years for the molestation of a 10-year-old boy in 1991. Geoghan's case completely rocked the Roman Catholic church in Boston after revelations that he had been shuttled, essentially, from parish to parish despite church leaders knowing about his behavior and about accusations. In fact, some 130 people accused him of sexual abuse during his 30-plus years in the service, and in six different parishes.
After accusations about Geoghan became public, more accusations about other priests became known. A lawyer, Mitchell Garabean, represents about 147 victims. The big issue now is what will happen to the other cases that have not been settled. About 80 or so cases were settled many months ago for about $10 million.
In the meantime, the inmate involved in the killing, we understand, from officials, is in isolation. This is somebody who is already serving a life sentence. Heidi?
COLLINS: All right. CNN's Michael Okwu this morning. Thanks so much for the update on all of this, Michael.
I spoke earlier this morning with Ambassador Raymond Flynn about Geoghan's death. Flynn is the former mayor of Boston and served as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. He told me Geoghan's death is another tragic twist in a tragic story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RAYMOND FLYNN, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE VATICAN: Nobody deserves to meet this kind of violent murder in a state-run prison. But Heidi, the environment is so hostile that, you know, John Geoghan was a dead man walking, whether he was in or outside of prison, because what's happening in Boston, the archdiocese of Boston around the clergy sex abuse scandal.
COLLINS: How so? What do you mean by that?
FLYNN: Well, the fact is that the reputations of even good, faithful, loyal priests that we have in Boston, the archdiocese of Boston who have not been involved in anything are really embarrassed. People have turned on them. Some people have turned on them. It is just a -- it's a very unsettling situation, and John, of course, was charged with these crimes. He hasn't gone to court with them except for one incident with a six-year jail term and despicable as the crimes are, you know, the fact is that questions come up. Can anybody get a fair trial? Is anybody safe in prison?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: On a related note now, four priests in the archdiocese of Boston have taken voluntary leaves of absence over allegations of sexual misconduct with minors. The alleged incidents were all said to have occurred decades ago. The new archbishop of Boston asked the four to step aside until the allegations are investigated.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
