Four articles appeared as a series in October
1986. They were written by Richard Nangle, who now writes for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Use the
link just below to download a PDF file with that series which early on raised key questions about LaGuer's conviction.
Below is a fairly comprehensive list of Leominster-Fitchburg Sentinel-Enterprise
coverage 2001- 2003. Use the Sentinel-Enterprise archivesto purchase the full text of any article.
Editorial
COURTS
MADE THE RIGHT DECISION
July 2, 2003
The Massachusetts Parole
Board did the right thing last week when it denied parole to convicted Leominster rapist Benjamin LaGuer. The move will keep
LaGuer in state prison for another five years, and there is no doubt that's exactly where he belongs. LaGuer was convicted of the 1983 rape of his 59-year-old next-door neighbor in Leominster
and sentenced to serve 15 years to life in prison. Prosecutors proved LaGuer broke into the woman's apartment, raped and beat
her for…
Letter to the Editor
DISTRICT ATTORNEY WAS RELENTLESS IN HIS PURSUIT
OF JUSTICE
October 30, 2002
For almost 20 years, our family
has been plagued by the media attention given to Benjamin Laguer in his constant plea of innocence in the brutal rape and
beating of my mother-in-law in Leominster. Mr. Laguer's sentence was 15 years to life. Laguer's motions, claims, interviews,
articles and letters all came to a halt after DNA testing results, which were requested by Laguer, came back in March 2002
as a positive match. This was something we had all known from the….
Prison officials want
to bar reporters from interviewing some inmates, and make it tougher for the media to gain access to prisons, in a move civil
rights advocates are calling unconstitutional. The Department of Corrections' proposed policy changes -- which don't need
legislative approval -- are leaving a sour taste in the mouths of some Beacon Hill lawmakers. The changes could take effect
in three weeks. Opponents, spanning from some 30 lawmakers
to a litany of lawyers, are…
John Conte
CONTE:
DNA TESTS PROVE LAGUER'S GUILT
Robert Mills
March 27, 2002
District Attorney John J. Conte says Benjamin LaGuer's guilt has now been proven
far beyond just a reasonable doubt. Conte made his first response Tuesday to news that DNA tests have linked LaGuer to the
1983 rape for which he is serving a life sentence. LaGuer was convicted in 1984 of raping a then 59-year-old Leominster woman
in her apartment for a period of eight hours. The…
LATE PAYMENT HOLDING
UP LAGUER DNA-TEST RESULTS
March 12, 2002
Forensic Science Associates
of California is awaiting a final payment before it can complete DNA testing related to the rape conviction of Benjamin LaGuer,
according to a published report today. LaGuer has maintained his innocence since the 1983 incident, in which he says he was
mistakenly identified. The testing, when completed, will compare LaGuer's DNA with DNA collected from evidence at the Leominster
crime scene. LaGuer's lawyers are reportedly "a few
thousand dollars…
DNA
TESTS MAY EXONERATE RAPIST
Robert Mills
February 21, 2002
Benjamin LaGuer has spent nearly two decades saying he is innocent of a rape for
which he is serving a life sentence. District Attorney John J. Conte has never wavered in his belief that LaGuer is guilty.
Though arguments and appeals over LaGuer's guilt have continued for 18 years, it appears DNA testing will soon conclusively
reveal who is correct. Earlier this month…
COURT
DECISIONS MAKE NEWS
Robert Mills
December 30, 2001
While a variety of crimes in
the area sent many defendants into the criminal courts in 2001, the courts made some news of their own as exiting cases took
groundbreaking turns. District Attorney John J. Conte finally took serious steps to have Leominster resident James J. Kelly,
72, committed to prison on the 10-year sentence he was given after his 1987 conviction for rape and indecent…
LAGUER
WILL GET REQUEST FOR DNA TESTS
Robert Mills
October 26, 2001
WORCESTER -- A Superior
Court judge has cleared the way for the immediate testing of DNA evidence that could finally answer an 18-year-old question:
Is Benjamin LaGuer guilty of rape? DNA testing has already been conducted on some of the evidence secured in connection with
the rape for which LaGuer is currently serving his 17th year of a life sentence. That testing has been inconclusive. A ruling issued Friday clears the way for immediate DNA testing
of additional evidence. LaGuer was …
LAGUER
AWAITING RULING ON APPEAL
Robert Mills
October 23, 2001
WORCESTER -- A Leominster
man who says he was wrongly convicted for a rape that occurred 18 years ago is now awaiting a judge's ruling on how DNA testing
of evidence in the case should proceed. Benjamin LaGuer, 38, is serving the 17th year of a life sentence handed down in 1984
after a jury found him guilty of aggravated rape. LaGuer
was convicted of repeatedly raping and beating his then-59-year-old neighbor in her Leominster apartment in 1983. Although
there was little physical…
