I thought people might want to catch this programme (and those in
the US and Canada with access to A & E can). See it first, then
answer the following questions [5 points each]
1) What really happened at Fells Acres?
2) Is children's testimony credible?
3) Did the Amiraults get what they deserved?
4) Are you in favour of the pardoning of Gerald Amirault?
-Stephen
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2001 08:28:16 -0400 (EDT)
From: Peter Freyd <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Wednesday pm
Resent-Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2001 9:54:14 -0400
Resent-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
On July 6 the Massachusetts Board of Pardons unanimously recommended
commuting the sentence of Gerald Amirault. (Acting Gov. Jane Swift and
the Governor's Council must rule on the board's recommendation.)
The Arts & Entertainement cable channel will premier an "American
Justice" hour Wednesday:
SHATTERED INNOCENCE: The FELLS ACRES ABUSE CASE
9 pm Eastern and later at 1 am Eastern
The Boston Herald wrote:
As acting Gov. Jane Swift weighs whether to release convicted child
molester Gerald Amirault, A & E's "American Justice: Shattered
Innocence: The Fells Acres Abuse Case" will examine the case against
the Amirault family Wednesday at 9 p.m. The one-hour documentary
will feature interviews with Gerald Amirault, attorneys from both
sides of the case and one of the victims.
On the A&E website:
American Justice: "Shattered Innocence: The Fells Acres Abuse Case"
exposes that it was Labor Day 1984 when the allegations in Malden,
Massachusetts, began to unfold. A five-year-old boy revealed that
his "pants had been pulled down" while at the school. Within days,
the school was shut down, and Gerald Amirault was arrested.
Investigators were convinced that there had been sexual abuse at
Fells Acres day care center. And children who denied that anything
had occurred were labeled "not ready to disclose."
Soon, the founder, Violet Amirault, and her daughter, Cheryl
Amirault LeFave, were also accused. By the time the trial against
Gerald began, 41 children between the ages of three and six had made
allegations of horrendous sex crimes. In 1987, with little evidence
other than the children's testimony, a jury found Gerald Amirault
guilty. He was sentenced to 30 to 40 years. A year later, Violet and
Cheryl Amirault were also convicted and sentenced to 8 to 20 years.
A long string of appeals and court decisions have polarized the
legal community. Were the charges true or were the Amiraults the
victims, accused by children who were coerced into statements by
anxious parents and investigators?
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Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
Check out TIPS listserv for teachers of psychology at:
http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/southerly/tips/
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