Wednesday, October 04, 2006
There may be more to come from the Healey camp, but the revelations in today's Globe detailing Deval Patrick's corresponsdence with convicted rapist Benjamin LaGuer are--to my mind, anyway--pretty bad for Patrick. The problem isn't that Patrick lobbied for parole for LaGuer: as Patrick communications director Richard Chacon has noted a few times, plenty of high-profile personages, included then-BU prez John Silber, weighed in on LaGuer's behalf. It's that A) the Globe piece makes Patrick's previous characterizations of his involvement with LaGuer look dishonest and B) judging from the letter that's reproduced on the top of B1, Patrick's support of parole for LaGuer (at least in 1998, before a DNA test strongly supported LaGuer's guilt) was apparently based on the fact that LaGuer writes a mean letter. Earlier today, the Patrick camp responded with a press release I've reprinted below. It's a decent rejoinder--but the damage is already done. STATEMENT ON THE ROMNEY/HEALEY AND REED HILLMAN “RECORD” ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND CONTACTING PAROLE BOARDS
BOSTON—Wednesday, October 4, 2006—The following is a statement from Richard Chacon, communications director for the Deval Patrick campaign.
“It is the height of politics-as-usual that the Healey/Hillman campaign is criticizing Deval Patrick today, when their Lt. Governor candidate Reed Hillman’s record includes contacting the parole board on behalf of James W. Mitchell, a “buddy”, who was accused of assaulting a police officer and other crimes; when Kerry Healey skipped more than half of the meetings of the Criminal History Systems Board during her two year appointment there; and when the Romney/Healey Administration has vetoed support for the sex offender registry and their record on crime and public safety is one of cuts in public safety initiatives and rising crime and violence.
“Deval Patrick has said that almost 10 years ago he wrote a letter on Mr. LaGuer's behalf. He was not alone in expressing concern about the case at the time. Dr. John Silber of Boston University, legal scholars, newspaper editorials and many news reporters also expressed concern; indeed, several investigative reporters looked into the case and raised questions as well.
“Deval felt strongly at the time - and does so today - that whenever issues of fairness are raised in our court system, they should be addressed in a serious manner.
“Deval has said that after reviewing an update to the case--including DNA evidence that was not available at the time --he now feels that the right outcome has been achieved and that justice has been served in this case.”
“Deval Patrick has been endorsed by former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger, former US Attorney Donald Stern, Wayne Budd and other public safety and law enforcement officers today. Deval Patrick has been a prosecutor in the Justice Department and lead the largest federal law enforcement investigation prior to September 11. Deval Patrick and Tim Murray are the strongest team on public safety issues in this race."
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