Coakley Let Toddler Rapist Out With No Bail

[Whrlwnd13]

Some saw Coakley as lax on ’05 rape case

by Gary Hewson
bigjournalisim.com

In October 2005, a Somerville police officer living in Melrose raped his 23-month-old niece with a hot object, most likely a curling iron.

Keith Winfield, then 31, told police he was alone with the toddler that day and made additional statements that would ultimately be used to convict him.

But in the aftermath of the crime, a Middlesex County grand jury overseen by Martha Coakley, then the district attorney, investigated without taking action.

It was only after the toddler’s mother filed applications for criminal complaints that Coakley won grand jury indictments charging rape and assault and battery.

Even then, nearly 10 months after the crime, Coakley’s office recommended that Winfield be released on personal recognizance, with no cash bail. He remained free until December 2007, when Coakley’s successor as district attorney won a conviction and two life terms.

Coakley, now the Democratic candidate for US Senate, has made much of her record prosecuting crimes against children, and says her office handled this investigation appropriately. But the case stands out as one in which she drew criticism for not being aggressive enough. Indeed, the case gave rise to Coakley’s last competitive election.

One of the attorneys who had represented the family of Jeffrey Curley was so outraged at Coakley’s inaction in the Winfield case that he challenged Coakley in her run for A.G. in 2006, but lost.

After Coakley’s foot-dragging, Winfield eventually was found guilty on all four charges of the August 2006 indictment: two counts of rape of a child with force, one count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. He was sentenced to two life terms

So let’s be clear: Martha Coakley failed to take action against a man who molested his own niece, a child, with a curling iron until her hand was finally forced by the victim’s mother.

And that’s just the beginning. Stay tuned for Part Two…

Excerpt from "Martha’s Greatest Hits: The Things the Democrats Would Like You to Forget About Candidate Coakley" Read the full article here..

[SpringerRider]

She also covered for a pedophile priest for 4 years. Why were't we hearing about this on Hannity, Beck and O'Reilly? A little coverage could make all the difference for Brown on Tuesday.