John J. Geoghan
John Geoghan, 68, a former Catholic priest, died on August 23, 2003, at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Facility in Shirley, Massachusetts, where he was held in protective custody. Worcester County District Attorney John Conte said another person held there strangled and beat him, and that the attacker would be charged with murder. A union representative said the attacker bound and gagged him, strangled him with a bed sheet, and that only one correction officer was on duty in the unit. State and county officials would not confirm that account, and an investigation was opened into whether staffing played a role. A lawyer who had represented him said he was a frail old man who should have been kept safe.
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 said staffing was short with only one officer on duty in the unit, which the union says left the unit unprotected.
Reported by: Worcester County District Attorney John Conte; Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union (family or their lawyers); Joseph Druce trial conviction (court).