With the news coverage coming from all platforms-television, print and web type publications,- interest skyrocketed in the Massachusetts State Police arrest of Paul Pechonis of Northborough that was captured on a baby cam video. By the end of February 22, some ten thousand (10,000) visitors had come to the conte2006 web site.
February 26, 2006 FBI nabs state trooper in sex sting The FBI nabbed a veteran state trooper Friday in an undercover sweep of men seeking sex with underage boys on America Online.State police Sgt. Brian O’Hare was arrested after he arranged to meet who he thought was a 14-year-old high school freshman, in the parking lot of the Meadow Glen Mall in Medford......
FBI spokeswoman Gail Marcinkiewicz said O’Hare, a 19-year veteran who is assigned to the Troop C Barracks in Holden
February 22, 2006 Cops wish to be out of site Lawyer challenges legality of law in Web video case A lawyer representing a Leominster woman threatened with a felony charge for posting a video of a state police arrest on her Web site is seeking a federal court ruling that the state law in question is unconstitutional.Donald J. Comerford, 39, formerly of Dudley, was back in Worcester Superior Court yesterday, where he is facing aggravated rape, indecent assault and battery, assault and kidnapping charges stemming from a series of sexual assaults he is accused of committing in 1988.
February 12, 2006 Without a compelling reason for the withdrawal from 2006 District Attorney’s race, should John Conte be obliged to return the over $141,000.00 he received in contributions? Worcester District Attorney John J. Conte announced he was going to seek reelection April 12, 2003, which was five months after winning his sixth term in office. On January 25, 2006 with no clear explanation of the circumstances, DA John Conte announced he would not seek reelection. The announcement was unexpected.Three months short of being a three year time frame, the Conte reelection organization has been collecting campaign contributions under the presentation that DA John J. Conte would seek another term.
Could an investigation into Mr. Conte's actions have been the paramount reason for the sudden unexplained withdrawal from the 2006 District Attorneys race? Will a sudden announcement of early retirement be far behind?
February 11, 2006 Judge visits scene of police shooting FITCHBURG -- An entourage composed of police officers, lawyers and a judge on Thursday briefly visited the scene where State Trooper Donald C. Gray shot Preston D. Johnson on Nov. 3. The group apparently retraced the ground the officers and Johnson covered during the alleged pursuit that led to the shooting. Hrones said the trooper should be charged, but he's not sure the judge will feel the same way. "There's no justification for the shooting," Hrones said. "There should be a recommendation for criminal process. There are so many questions that should go before a grand jury.Hrones went a step further and accused Landry -- the assistant district attorney in charge of calling witnesses and presenting evidence at the inquest -- of being biased in favor of the trooper.
"The prosecutor was supposed to be neutral, but he acted like defense counsel for the police officer and a prosecutor against poor Preston," Hrones said.
February 11, 2006 Inquest ends into trooper shootingMandatory weekly drug testing, a surrender all weapons, and a stay away order from Officer James Gough, and the Marlborough police department were also ordered by Judge Sullivan as additional conditions.
Mr. Pechonis posted bail.
According to Edward P. Ryan, Jr. Chairman, Massachusetts Bar Association Committee on Judicial Independence. Bail is not supposed to be used as a punitive measure and can't be used for preventative detention unless the defendant is proven to be dangerous and a flight risk after a hearing that has been requested by the prosecutor. The purpose of bail is to insure that a person will appear in court when required to do so.
February 7, 2006 Rape suspect to be extraditedMr. Comerford was arrested in Worcester Oct. 18, 1988, after a teacher chased him from Doherty Memorial High School. He was being sought in connection with three attacks that day on women in the city's West Side. Mr. Comerford was freed on $106,000 bail posted in October 1988 by his father, James Comerford, then a state police trooper.
February 7, 2006 Trooper’s account questionedCLINTON— Expert testimony during an inquest at Clinton District Court yesterday seemed to contradict statements by the state trooper who said he shot a 30-year-old Fitchburg man Nov. 3 because he feared for his life, according to the man’s family lawyer.
Trooper Gray testified yesterday that in trying to flee again, Mr. Johnson angled his tires sharply toward Officer Darton. Trooper Gray said that because he feared for his life and that of Officer Darton, he fired a single shot into the driver’s side window of Mr. Johnson’s vehicle, according to Mr. Hrones.February 5, 2006
Fitchburg District Court Judge Andrew L. Mandell allowed secret deal to buy justice for son of John Conte's Assistant District Attorney and friends.
On Thursday February 2, 2006 in Fitchburg District Court, three young men--all sons of public figures in Fitchburg--were allowed to make a secret deal with their victim. They were charged with robbing and assaulting the victim, a homeless looking man.
According to a Fitchburg clerk magistrate, who feared being identified, District Court Judge Mandell did not know the substance of the agreement, yet agreed with Special Prosecutor John C. Fisher to drop all criminal charges pending against the three young men if they fulfilled the "accord and satisfaction" by February 10, 2006.
Matthew C. Lamey -- the son of former Superintendent of Schools Thomas J. Lamey -- Drew R. Durkee -- the son of Bruce Durkee, who served on the City Council -- and Colby J. Donnelly -- the son of Worcester County Assistant District Attorney Erin Donnelly--all had their pending criminal charges dropped.
F
ebruary 3, 2006Is a Serial Killer on the Loose in Massachusetts?
Is a serial killer stalking women and girls in Massachusetts? Two decades, nearly 10 unsolved murders and kidnaps in one small section of the state. And tonight, we connect the dots, focusing on three of those crimes in an attempt to crack them all: a 17-year-old high school senior, a 29-year-old young woman found dead behind a private school, and a third, a 10-year-old girl. Tonight, we want answers.
In 2004,
Carmen Rudy (ph), 29 years old, her body found behind an exclusive
private school. In 1993, 10-year-old Holly Piirainen abducted,
killed, Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Hundreds interviewed. No
resolution.
But first tonight, Patricia Gonyea, 17-year-old high school senior
from Worcester, lost her life as she walked home from the bus stop
March 1, 2006
Tapes raise inquest doubt
Video case delayed
Tape shows police arrest
The case of a Leominster woman facing a felony charge for posting a video of a state police arrest on her Web site has been postponed until March 31, and a temporary restraining order preventing state police from taking action against her has been extended to April 7.
Written transcript of tape in October article Letter to State Police seeking injunction Letter to Editor Worcester Telegram NewsCenter 5 story March 2, 2006 Worcester District Attorney John Conte lists his campaign headquarter as being a post office box address, yet thousands of dollars has been paid in security and telephone bills from the Conte campaign chest. The 2005 end-of-year report filed with the Massachusetts Office of Public Finance records the Conte campaign reelection headquarters as post office Box 60146 Worcester, MA 01606.In review of posting in the expenditures from John Conte’s campaign funds, thousands of dollars have been paid in security service, telephone bills and internet connections for his campaign operation.
March 2, 2006 Bail reduced for man accused of Internet death threats The Northborough man accused of making death threats against a Marlborough cop on a Web site had his $20,000 bail reduced to $5,000....... "None of this would be going on if I hadn’t starting communicating with the Marlborough Police on the harassment of my son by Officer Gough," Pechonis said. "It’s just vendetta, that’s what it is all about." March 2, 2006 State appeals court turns down LaGuer The state Appeals Court has rejected Benjamin LaGuer’s latest bid for a new trial.Web site Conte 2006.com receives 48 hours cease and desist letter for video of State Police on internet.
March 8, 2006
FITCHBURG— Police Sgt. Jeffrey
J. Howe had a good month in court in February.
Not only was an assault charge against Sgt. Howe dismissed at
the district attorney’s request last month, but a federal
lawsuit that named Sgt. Howe as one of the defendants also was
dismissed.
police and victims’ parents are fuming that a Worcester judge
refused to send a “most wanted” serial child rapist back to prison
for fleeing to Florida and repeatedly violating his probation.
Worcester Superior Court Judge John McCann put Winchendon child molester Glen Wheeler on 10 years’ probation and an electronic monitoring bracelet - even though the 56-year-old con has racked up 11 probation violations, has an alias and went on the run for eight
months before being tracked down at a Tampa, Fla., mosque. Wheeler was on the state police list of “most wanted high-risk sex offenders.”
March 13, 2006 Two people have pulled papers for the Worcester district attorneys race. Ms Gina Dibaro, a democrat and Mr. Richard Peters, a republican have taken out papers for the Middle District Attorney's race from the office of the secretary of state, elections division.In order to qualify for the position of District Attorney in Massachusetts, you must be a member of the Massachusetts Bar association and have gathered one thousand signatures of registered voters from anywhere within the district you seek election.
March 15, 2006 No bail for Iraq vet -Warren man on probation
EAST
BROOKFIELD— A Warren man who recently returned from service in
Iraq is being held without bail after turning himself in
yesterday at Western Worcester District Court, where he was
wanted on a default warrant.
Kenneth G. Tatro, 24, of Main Street, Warren, was taken into custody and held after a probation detention hearing. He will be back in court March 20 for a probation violation hearing.
March 15, 2006 MWCC ex-chief Mackie chargedOther observers said privately that Mr. Conte may have opted for a plea bargain because his key witness and others from the rough-and-tumble carnival world may have had trouble under tough cross-examination.
March 16, 2006
Is
this justice in Central Massachusetts?
A recently
widowed mother who is still grieving for her deceased husband got a
further shock when her Bronze-star decorated son returned from Iraq
only to be locked up by Judge Charles Abdella without bail after he
voluntarily turned himself in.
Mrs. Linda Tatro
was distraught yesterday morning as she told her story.
“How can this be happening? My son is a war hero with medals to prove it,” she cried out.
March 17, 2006 Conte courthouse?
It’s largely ceremonial what name, if any, we give to the new
county courthouse on Main Street in Worcester, but, ceremonial
or not, the symbolism of naming it after incumbent District
Attorney John J. Conte would be regrettable.
March 19, 2006
Much ado about
name for courtMarch 20, 2006
Iraqi vet Kenneth G. Tatro, remains in house of corrections on probation violation.
The Honorable. Charles A. Abdella, presiding Justice of East Brookfield District Court continued the case of Kenneth Tatro, Iraqi decorated veteran, charged with probation violation until Wednesday March 22, 2006.
Mr. Tatro has been held without bail since Monday March 13 when he voluntarily turned himself in after his reserve Army unit was mobilized and he was sent to war in 2004.
March 22, 2006
Kenneth Tatro appeared in East Brookfield District Court before Judge Charles Abdella in his military uniform today and was released from custody under probation stipulations.
Probation Officer Linda A. Grimaldi, outlined probation stipulations to Mr. Tatro after his release which included mandatory attendance of 40 hours of battered woman's classes, no leaving the State of Massachusetts without permission as well as a $65 dollar per month probation fee for the next two years.
March 23, 2006 Bish case witness released from jailMarch 23, 2006
New
child sex charges lodged
AUBURN— The former School
Committee chairman is facing new charges that he sexually
assaulted a minor. March 26, 2006
Conte2006 web site moves forward to seek permanent injunction for display of arrest video.
On Wednesday, March 29, at the office of the Attorney General, Central Massachusetts Division, One Exchange Place, Worcester, a deposition for Mary T. Jean will occur at the request of Assistant Attorney General Ronald K Kehoe.
The March 22 notice states the deponent is required to bring with her and produce all documents constituting or referring to communication of any nature between the plaintiff and Paul Pechonis.
The deposition will concern the conte2006.com web site in regards to the video released of Paul Pechocis being arrested by Worcester District Attorney John Conte’s State police C-Pac unit on September 29, 2005.
March 29, 2006 AG’s offer rejectedMarch 31, 2006
FITCHBURG --
The judge overseeing an inquest into the shooting death of Fitchburg resident Preston Johnson has filed his final report in Worcester Superior Court, according to a letter he wrote to another attorney......Judge Robert V. Greco's report is the result of five days of testimony at a closed-door inquest. It is "impounded" at the court and access to it is limited, according to Greco's letter, provided by Johnson family attorney Stephen Hrones of Boston.
Hrones said it was outrageous the Johnson family could not look at the finished report, which according to Greco's letter was filed Monday.
March 31, 2006Federal Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV will issue ruling on TSO Friday, April 7, 2pm.
Judge Saylor, who began the court hearing informing both parties that he would rule on the TSO at a latter date, listed to both sides in reference to the legal positions in regard to the Bartnicki case as well as the Boehner v. McDermott case. Judge Saylor stated he had read the opinions and "still did not have his arms around it yet".
In a stunning position today, Assistant Attorney General Ronald K Kehoe, attempted to preset the cease and desist order from Massachusetts State Police, Deputy counsel Ann McCarthy as being separate from Worcester District Attorney John Conte.
AG Kehone asked Mrs. Mary Jean, "did you receive a letter from John Conte, the District Attorney?' Mrs. Jean replied "No". Mrs. Jean further explained "that when the letter reference back to have the District Attorney investigate the charges, then that investigation would be conducted by the C-Pac unit, which are the same people on the tape".
AG Kehoe later in the preceding stated "Mrs. Jean could have sent a letter to Deputy Counsel McCarty, she could have had legal counsel send a letter to Deputy Counsel, instead she made a Federal case of this issue".