Outrageous sentencing of a teacher cited as one reason to reform sentencing in Massachusetts.
Nov 14, 2007 - Massachusetts is one of one of eight states without minimum mandatory sentences for child rape or pornography. A state representative, victim rights advocates and district attorneys have called for sentencing reform yesterday. The average sentence for child rape in Massachusetts is three to five years.
Rape victim Jeremy of South Dartmouth urged legislators to change the laws that allowed his teacher, Gregory Pathiakis, to receive probation instead of jail time. In January 2006, Pathiakis, a one-time Middleboro High School teacher, pleaded guilty to child rape and child pornography charges, was given a suspended jail term and probation.TT - Pathiakis pleaded guilty to
"It's very traumatic and definitely affected my family...it just ruined my life," said Jeremy, who did not want to give his last name.
Supporters and victims' families said they did not understand why Massachusetts has lagged behind the nation on sex crime sentencing.
- one count of rape of a child,
- enticement of a child under 16,
- five counts of possession of child pornography and
- one count of distribution of harmful material to a child.
The victim was a 15-year-old male student.
The judge sentenced him to a two-year suspended jail sentence. He violated his probation and ended up sentenced to the two years.
TT- Link [Be sure to read about the judge.]
