September 25, 2006, letter sent to District Attorney John Conte by Boston Attorney Stephen Hrones requesting reward payment.

July 9, 2006

Damn the Master not the Puppets: 

By Tim McGuigan, Conte2006.com

For those of you who watched the Bish’s on Larry King recently or Nancy Grace several months ago and continue to wonder why the explanation of how Molly came home differs from what CBS / 48hrs reported in 2003, bare in mind, “Nothing takes precedence over finding out who did this to their daughter and if takes endorsing District Attorney John Conte’s version of events in order to ensure that this case continues to remain active, then they have no choice but to do so.”   

However, I am in no way indebted to Conte and very much look forward to Worcester County moving forward with a new District Attorney and new detectives to run CPAC.  For the record and so there is no longer any confusion about who contacted the State Police, when they were notified, how long it took for them to respond or if “other” law enforcement entities were involved in finding Molly, I offer the following. 

Frustrated with our continued efforts, Chief Peter Fullam (North Brookfield) is advised to have me back off and to no longer discuss the case of Holly Pirainnen or Molly Bish with anyone.  I am briefed on the directive and further advised by State Police Detective Joe Bleu, that he is no longer permitted to speak with me.  State Police Detective Lt. Peter Higgins follows up with a meeting at the Brookfield State Police Barracks, C-3 and on February 22, 2001, Lt. Alfred Lussier issues a memorandum to Trooper Benoit further enforcing and expressing CPAC’s position.    

June 26, 2001, a profile by John Kelly of STALK inc. is created and forwarded to John Bish and Trooper Benoit.  There profile advises to search for Molly “around Warren,” “on posted wooded property,” “near cabins and hunting clubs.”  This information is forwarded to Worcester County CPAC and I am advised by State Police Detective Bob Ferraro that they have their own profilers.    

May 15, 2003, a Massachusetts State Police Activity Log, documents the events of that day, clearly showing who contacted them, what time they were notified as well as there level of concern. 

6:20 PM, a call from Trooper Benoit to the Holden Barracks.  Lt. Sullivan is assigned to the desk along with Sgt Gentile and dispatchers Matte Lapierre & Kelly Robinson. Trooper Benoit advises that a female’s blue bathing suit has been found approximately three miles from where Molly Bish disappeared.  State Police Detective Dan Richards is notified but would not be responding.  Rather, Detective Richards advises that he would “pass along the information to the people working the Bish matter.”   

8:40 PM, as supported and documented by the State Police Log, the cell phone number where I could be contacted was forwarded, however no call was ever made or received from State Police detectives.  Rather, I made periodic calls to Trooper Benoit and Cheryl Benoit for guidance.  In my mind, this was a crime scene until proven otherwise and I never wanted to give a defense the opportunity to scrutinize evidence by attacking the chain of custody, if in fact it was her suit.  However, due to the large amount of insects, I left the area to find a police officer.  A Ware police officer was located, brought to the scene and marked the site by breaking a snow scraper and sticking it in the ground. Contrary to what is documented in the state police log, the suit remains undisturbed and the scene is again left unattended.   

Upon returning home, I spoke with Frank Adamson (Green River) and John Kelly.  After explaining the apparent lack of interest in what had been discovered, learning where the bathing suit had been found, “around Warren,” “posted wooded property,” “near cabins and hunting area.”  John advised that I should do whatever it takes to get someone up to Whiskey hill.  He also advised that if in fact it was Molly’s suit that she would be up there.  

May 16th, 2003, after speaking with Cheryl Benoit, I placed a call to John Bish that morning and told him what I had found.  I also advised him that CPAC had not responded.  I then contacted Attorney William Scanell and he advised me to take photographs of what had been found prior to bringing anyone else up there.  I complied and photographs were taken, secured and a copy later given to State Police Detective Bob Ferraro.   

Shortly after I got off the phone with John Bish, Trooper Benoit called me seeking a location to meet with CPAC detectives.

Later that day Detective Ferraro met with Trooper Benoit and I at Friendly’s Ice Cream in Ware. We took him, along with Crime Scene Services, to the bathing suit. The bathing suit was marked using Global Positioning System, photographed and then finally collected as evidence. 

May 26, 2003, an altered wanted poster was circulated around C-3 showing my photograph.  The caption above states, “Wanted for questioning regarding the disappearance of Molly Ann Bish.” 

November 13, 2003, Six State Police units received citations and are recognized for bravery as well as going beyond the call of duty for their work in the Bish case.  Also recognized were William and Jane Dolan of Warren.   

It is not Larry King’s fault or Nancy Grace’s fault or any other form of Medias fault for follow the beat of John Conte’s drum and getting the story wrong.  This is not about protecting privileged information that could impact an investigation or marketing a book. This is about truth and honesty.  Something that I believe has been missing from Worcester County for a long time.   

The recent release of the latest footage of Molly is as perplexing as the two year Grand Jury in itself and again we are left to hope and wonder why?  We may never know the answer to that question but the question to how she came home and those truly responsible for ensuring that occurred has now been answered.  

March 19, 2006

Continue to question.

Perhaps I am fully responsible for the undoing of my career in law enforcement. Admittedly, when I was “on the job” I found discretion to be more about last names and connections, then mitigating circumstances and petty crime. Think about it for a moment, if police use discretion on the street to determine the extent of wrong doing and the DA can pick and choose who to prosecute, then who goes to jail? Where talking about an office that admittedly withheld evidence for eighteen years from the defense in a high profile case. Whether the suspect was innocent or guilty is another issue, is that act in and of itself in the best interest of justice? Is it not a crime?

It is rare that I meet someone who holds a position that could have had an impact on Molly being found sooner, rather then later, without feeling a sense of being judged or angered. Maybe it’s the fact that I know about the reward poster being changed from 100K “for information leading to Molly” to 100K “for information leading to an arrest and conviction” shortly after I led them to her that they find difficult. It could be that the implication of evidence being planted and the charade of subpoenaing tapes from CBS after the crime scene was cleared was nothing but “flexing” on the part of the DA’s office. Certainly, a half witted rookie could have easily determined what they didn’t want the public to know. They missed it and that’s ok and understandable, it happens. But it’s not ok for District Attorney John Conte to threaten those who led him to Molly by telling the producer of 48hrs that “your little friends are going to find themselves in a lot of trouble.” I can only imagine what he felt like when he learned that the small town cop, who had been scolded years earlier by Trooper Robert Ferrieo of his C-Pac Unit for looking into the Holly Piiranen case, came up with Molly’s bathing suit. Think about it, District Attorney John Conte spent hundreds of thousand of dollars, and came up with nothing. I recall John Bish telling me that after his daughters remains had been found, he had his daughter Heather, call to find out the status of reward.  He then told me that Attorney Grecco, who conducts the grand jury became very upset, declined answering, and hung up the phone on Heather. Months later when testifying at the grand jury ADA Grecco told me this isn't a competition.  ADA Greco then followed me outside, thanked me privately for my efforts in finding Molly Bish.  My response was, "Conte is dirty", to which ADA Greco became upset.

Several minutes later I spoke with Trooper Heather DiPasquale and I asked her, "how can you work for someone like that". Trooper DiPasquale responded by telling me "it's just a job".  Trooper DiPasquale then admitted to having knowledge that the posted had been changed.

What matters more then any single case is integrity and the belief of the people that their elected officials are conducting themselves in a manner encompassing that premise within the perimeters set fourth and governed by law. That is exactly what has been lost by this administration and that is why the people of Worcester County continue to question every act and decision that comes out of District Attorney John Conte’s office. That is also why I believe he decided to step down and has not been seen or heard from in some time. I’ve given this considerable thought, pondered it for hours on end and looked at it from every conceivable angle. The one constant with this case lies far beyond an inapt investigation and nothing short of solving it, will ever repair the political damage or reputation of those responsible for seeing it to fruition. It explains the intimidation tactics, the length of time the special grand jury has been seated, the amount of money being spent and the reason Molly’s father told me “ if I embrace you publicly they’d take me behind the wood shed”.

Not long ago I carried a box up the stairs of the State House. The torrential rain caused the integrity of the cardboard to become saturated and I couldn’t help but notice that inside was a large wooden angel. I had been invited to missing children’s day, 2005 by Mrs. Maureen Lemieux, Holly Piiranen’s Grandmother. As the angel was later being presented to the Massachusetts State Police for their efforts in finding Molly, I stood alone with my thoughts in the back of the room, waiting to help carry the now empty boxes back to the bus that had been chartered by the Bish’s.

Several months later, I was presented with the Buffoon of the year award, (a plaque of a horse’s ass), at the annual gathering of the Benevolent Brotherhood of the Brookfield Boomers held in Sturbridge. Present at that gala was a trooper I had never met before, along with numerous others from law enforcement whom I’m swore to secrecy. Like some before and since, this person took it upon himself to single me out and taunt me to the point of fight or flight. A kind of taunting that I have learned to grow used to. My response to his continued assault left little doubt in anyone’s mind of what my next move would be if he continued and as instructed by someone I deeply respect, I apologized to Sgt Brian O’Hare as he walked out yelling that I was a disgrace to the uniform.

Incidents such as these have become common place for me. I have seen the veneer of self proclaimed rigorousness crumble time and again, watched the phony smiles and hand shakes of those next in line for appointment and learned the hard lessons one pays for maintaining the course of their beliefs. I’m certain that I will continue to be tested from time to time, by those who feel worthy of having buildings named in their honor, those who haven’t an issue with accepting credit for the accomplishment of others and that’s ok. Quite frankly, I prefer the company of those who have the gift of humility, those whose handshakes are real, those who can smile when being handed a horse’s ass and bask in the knowledge of truth.

One must ask, has the silence of threats, intimidation, and the destruction of lives and careers brought us any closer after six years to a true resolution in Molly’s case.

March 10, 2006

Relentless,

As Reported by the Boston Harold on April 23rd 2004, Conte said 16 to 23 people would sit on the grand jury for six months beginning in late May.

The six month period has long passed and the two year mark will soon be upon us. Media attention has faded, yet those even remotely interested in what happened to Molly, child abduction or criminal justice can’t help but be left with hope and wonder. Why has this Grand Jury remained seated for so long? When will it end? What new information has been developed? If so will it bare fruit? And of course, who is responsible?

On numerous occasions many of us have speculated on the possibility of physical evidence being left behind that could identify someone and tie them in. Literally hundreds of theories have been offered and the suspected “route” driven more times then many would dare say.

Something about child abduction cuts to the very core of who we are; I have watched the seasoned doctor struggle to maintain her composure as she addresses an audience at Anna Maria about Molly, listened to the harsh words of a burnt out detective on edge as he peers at me with hatred, held a townie filled with questions who struggles over his last drink and felt deeply for a father who continues on a pace that long ago would have broken a lesser man.

What happened to Molly and her family hasn’t been replaced or forgotten. What many of us have felt has been felt by us all at some degree. Regardless, the one commonality we all share is hope and the unwavering need to understand who and why?

January 26, 2006

Hope

The chess match Worcester County experienced over the past several years and the way the eager pawns protected their King has been an education in political science and sociology. Regardless, rather then focusing on the ills of the past, I will choose to remain hopeful for the future.

Despite the best efforts of some, the exposure of CBS's Missing Molly program has afforded me the opportunity to work and spend time with some of the best investigators in the country. What I have heard time and again when discussing why certain cases have yet to be solved, is that bureaucracy, red tape and egos is a major factor and not lack of money.

Worcester County is in the position to have a dramatic change. Law enforcement at all levels can now look forward to sharing information, proceeding forward with complex investigations together and be assured that when anything substantial is brought fourth, their focus can remain on the case rather then having to shift gears towards damage control.

When I was introduced to John Kelly, I was probably as skeptical as John Bish and Massachusetts State Trooper Benoit, but I listened. Through Mr. Kelly I have had the opportunity to spend considerable time speaking with the likes of Frank Adamson (Green River) and Timothy Braun (Charles Cullan), as well as others who work with him. At no cost, John and his team provided insight and experience into what they believed happened to both Molly Bish and Holly Piirainen.  Having led task forces in major cases before, both Frank and Tim had a profound impact on the way I see the future of law enforcement in Worcester County.  

When I was concerned about the type or response I would receive from the Worcester DA's office, it was Frank Adamson who encouraged me with his simple words, "It's a bathing suit where a bathing suit doesn't belong."  When Molly wasn't immediately found and rumors began flying around that I planted evidence to promote a book, it was John Kelly who said, "If it's her suit, she's up there."

Furthermore, the written information John Kelly provided to John Bish, Trooper Benoit and I, and the location of where Molly was recovered, left little doubt in their minds that Molly would be found on Whiskey Hill. How John Kelly's team knew to search near hunting clubs, I will never know. I wish I'd listened sooner.

I would like to thank John Kelly' and his team for their efforts in helping to ensure Molly came home. I would also like to thank Ricky and his family for trusting me enough to speak up.

Hopefully, in the near future, people like Ricky won't have to worry about coming forward to police. Cops won't have to worry about their careers when they share information that they have developed and all of law enforcement can work together for the common good of the people.

January 23, 2006

Profilers and Police.

One of the best indicators of future behavior is past behavior, hence the theory, a thief, is a thief, is a thief.  Few would argue against the fact that we tend to be creatures of habit and although temporary change is relatively easy, permanent charge is not.   How's your New Years resolution going?  Criminologists, profilers and police alike often depend on this idea when developing or researching potential suspects or persons of interest in a case.  What's the underlying need or motive the Perpetrator is trying to meet or for fill?  Quite often they don't even know themselves, they only know that their thirst must be quenched.  An example of this is whenever a child goes missing and an immediate check of sex offenders known to the area is conducted. 

This belief is not new to law enforcement or criminal investigation.  Long before the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit conducted their psychological abstract and developed the Organized, Disorganized offender theory, ordinary beat cops used their experience and knowledge of subjects to tie in those they suspected of being capable of certain wrongful acts.  Their value to the streets was and is indispensable. 

Furthermore, along with being creatures of habit, we tend to go with the flow and not make waves.  Quite frankly it's easier to fit in, stay under the radar and justify suppressing what we know to be true, then to put ourselves out there and risk the possibility of four more years of hypocrisy or worse.  It's interesting, we teach out children to speak out and do the right thing, as we shutter behind our desks waiting to "anti up" to a cause we know longer believe in.  We polish our boots and pin on our badges to right the dispensable wrong, while we turn a blind eye to our own selfishness and watch another friend of a friend get out of jail free.
    
I never realized the extent of malfeasance that continues to run ramped in Worcester County, until I found myself a subject of spin that was beyond the understanding of everything I ever represented.   In the very near future, I will be posting documentation that supports everything I purport to be true.  Some of it comes directly from the Massachusetts State Police, some from other law enforcement entities within and beyond the borders of Worcester County.  Ultimately it is up to you to judge, digest and understand it for what it is.       

January 20, 2006

DA Conte attacks "speaks for itself."

Four days after 48hrs aired on national television, Worcester District Attorney, John J. Conte fired a shot by attacking my efforts and credentials. I will not allow Mr. Conte to discredit the MA Criminal Justice Training Council or the MA Chief of Police Association by dignifying or defending the courses and/or training that they endorse and I received. However I will offer this; it is not uncommon for evidence in an area as large as Whiskey Hill to be missed. In fact, the probability of that not occurring is highly unlikely. As such, an answer referencing or encapsulating that position would be proper and acceptable. An open ended answer attempting to discredit anyone or leaving room for explanation such as it “speaks for itself,” is not only irresponsible, it borders on an obvious lack of understanding.

What “speaks for itself,” is that a small peace of fabric, consistent in color with the original swimsuit was observed on the ground after the crime scene had been cleared. If an implication exists or it is implied that evidence was planted, then anyone who was present during the retrieval of that small piece should be called in to testify and District Attorney Conte should explain the motive behind his ridicules statement. If that were to happen, it would be made abundantly clear that a small piece of fabric was simply overlooked and that would be OK. What’s not OK is implying the contrary, especially when an abundance of evidence and information is available to prove the probable.

January 16, 2006

Politics Police and Murder

“Victims are often lost to the egos of those responsible for bringing them justice.” One of the boldest statements I’d ever heard, by one of the most respected investigators I’d ever met. I never realized how right he was until I began picking up old cases that had been filed away as unfounded and began figuring them out. There wasn’t a whole lot going on in the small town I worked and I refused to sit around getting paid for doing nothing. I’d like to tell you that my success was a result of great detective work but it wasn’t. More often then not, it was because I interviewed someone who had already been spoken to, believed in someone who for one reason or another had been discredited or talked to someone who had been mentioned in a report but never contacted. What I found time and again, was rather then being thanked by whoever may have originated the report for helping; I was hated for sticking my nose where it didn’t belong. It didn’t matter how big or small a crime, the victim was rarely part of the equation. It was all about them and I had gotten used to it.

On June 27th 2000, at approximately 10AM, Molly Ann Bish, a 16 year old blond, blue eyed lifeguard vanished from her post in the quaint New England village of Warren MA. She was never seen alive again.

I recall the morning my radio cracked and the distressed voice of the dispatcher uttered “we have a situation at Comins pond” as if it were yesterday. Racing towards West Brookfield, I positioned my cruiser along Route 9 and waited for something, anything suspicious to pass by. For whatever reason, I knew this wasn’t a drowning.

The initial response was amazing, police; hundreds of volunteers and food donations. A logistical nightmare was underway. I never went there to look during the initial search, for good reason, what many didn’t hear was the bickering between agencies that tends to remain within police circles and often breeds contempt and animosity. The FBI offered agents to help search but were not welcomed, the Spencer Police Department had a Bloodhound in the area but the powers to be didn’t want to use her. Everyone was hearing how the Warren Police Department destroyed the crime scene and the local cops were patiently waiting their turn to get even with their much higher paid counterparts. Regardless, none of it was conducive to a healthy investigation and the lines between fault and responsibility had been drawn. It was all about them and I had gotten used to it.

On January 23rd, 2001 I found myself sitting in CPAC in Auburn MA with TPR Robert Benoit. Benoit and I had been asked to come in and share what, if anything we had learned about Molly’s case. Upon arrival, we were separated and interviewed like criminals and it was made abundantly clear that they did not want us medaling on their “turf” anymore. A letter to Benoit from the Major soon followed.

On May 14th, 2003 as I stood over Molly’s bathing suit on Whiskey Hill, I was filled with mixed emotions. Attempting to remain professional and optimistic about what had been revealed, knowing what it more likely then not represented, happy that I never listened to their threats, yet concerned about what they might do to me.

You see, I had learned years earlier it was all about them and I had gotten used to it, but I never got used to someone who would become a cop to protect the political aspirations of anyone, especially when it takes priority over those they should be protecting, those who haven’t the means or ability to protect themselves.

Crimes of this magnitude and the way they impact Worcester County have a better chance of being solved, when task forces are composed of multiple agencies and police can work together. It is well past time for that to happen. There are no “rogue” cops running around Worcester County, just informed cops who see it for what it really is and understand the need for a change. 

It is my intention to use this forum to discuss how Molly really came home.    

Timothy McGuigan