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January 24, 2006
American justice, Boston style
So, what does a "kiddie raper" look like?
Something like this:
And what happens to a kiddie raper in the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts?
BROCKTON (AP) -- A former high school teacher avoided prison after pleading guilty to raping one of his students.
Superior Court Judge Suzanne Delvecchio on Tuesday sentenced former Middleboro High School teacher Gregory Pathiakis, 26, to a suspended 21/2 year prison term, followed by five years probation.
Prosecutors had asked for a minimum of four years in prison.
"That is certainly disheartening to see that there is not some sort of incarceration," Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz told The Enterprise of Brockton. "He was in a position of authority over these kids."
Pathiakis, of Brockton, pleaded guilty to child rape, enticement of a child under 16 and possession of child pornography.
He was arrested in January 2004 after a 15-year-old boy told police Pathiakis had raped him in December 2003. Pathiakis had just resigned from his job at Middleboro High School after officials there confronted him about online contacts he had with students while on duty.
The victim urged the judge to give Pathiakis prison time.
"I feel you deserve jail," he wrote in a statement read by his father. "You are a disgrace to all teachers."
That's right, not one day of custody time. This is what leads to vigilantism; the lack of faith in the justice system's ability to do justice. So, what would you parents do if the man who raped your child walked out of the courtroom after admitting the deed?
Posted by Mike Lief at January 24, 2006 07:12 AM