John Geoghan
John Geoghan, 68, was a former Catholic priest. He was held in protective custody at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Facility in Shirley, Massachusetts, when he died on August 23, 2003. Worcester County District Attorney John Conte said another prisoner strangled and beat him, and that prisoner, Joseph Druce, was later convicted of the killing. Officials did not explain how Druce reached Geoghan, and a later security video showing guards struggling to force open his wedged cell door was released.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). Worcester County District Attorney John Conte said a fellow inmate strangled and beat Geoghan, and the union's Robert Brouillette described strangulation with a bedsheet; the family or lawyers did not dispute the account, but the union has questioned how the attacker reached him and the sources report that officials declined to explain it.
Reported by: Worcester County District Attorney John Conte (outside investigators); Robert Brouillette, executive of the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union; Worcester County prosecutors (outside investigators); Joseph Druce's trial conviction (court).