Ben LaGuer, the convicted rapist who became a hot button issue during the gubernatorial election, is seeking to have his sentence commuted, something somewhat possible with his former penpal Deval Patrick in the corner office.

LaGuer sent a letter this week to the Governor’s Council seeking an application for a commutation from Patrick. A commutation would set LaGuer free and would mark the first such move by a Bay State governor in a decade.

Patrick has been a past supporter of LaGuer but has said he would steer clear of the case as governor. Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, who presides over the Governor’s Council, told the State House News: “Any request for applications, people have a right and are entitled to get. We don’t make any comments on anything until they’re received.”

Has is been a while since you last heard the name Ben Laguer? Just in case you forgot, here's the scoop:

LaGuer was convicted of savagely raping a 59-year-old neighbor in Leominster in 1983 but has always maintained his innocence, despite a positive 2002 DNA test. The case became a major issue in Patrick’s campaign against former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey after revelations that Patrick supported LaGuer’s parole bids and donated $5,000 to his cause.

Perhaps Governor Patrick will send another letter to LaGuer, maybe telling him to 'cut it out.'

It boggles the mind that while rising crime plagues the city of Boston, Deval Patrick is looking to water down mandatory sentencing laws...

Gov. Deval Patrick has launched a comprehensive review of the state’s mandatory sentencing laws as officials say giving judges the discretion to impose minimum sentences may help them offer incentives to convicts to participate in rehabilitation programs, according to a report published Sunday.

Administration officials say the mandatory minimum sentences drive up the cost of corrections and deny judges the discretion to order the release of prisoners on good behavior, the Boston Sunday Globe reported.

This fails to offer prisoners incentives to participate in work release, rehabilitation or furlough programs outside their institution, said Mary Elizabeth Heffernan, an undersecretary for public safety.

Ah yes, those incredibly effective and safe furlough programs... Perhaps Ben LaGuer would like to participate in a furlough program?

Is Gov. Patrick disappointed?

Convicted rapist Benjamin LaGuer, who became a central figure in last year's gubernatorial campaign, has lost another bid for a new trial.

The state Supreme Judicial Court on Friday shot down LaGuer's eighth motion for a new trial, rejecting an appeal based on his claim that a state police fingerprint report that was not turned over to the defense during his trial could have persuaded the jury to acquit him.

LaGuer was sentenced to life in prison in 1984 after being convicted in the aggravated rape of a 59-year-old Leominster woman.

UPDATE: More from the Boston Herald and Frank Conte. Plus, more on Patrick from Mass. GOP News.

SECOND UPDATE: More from the Globe and the Herald.

Deval Patrick is sworn in as governor of Massachusetts the same day the Boston Herald is reporting that a Patrick Transition Team member is pushing to have Ben LaGuer's case reopened.

UPDATE: The family of LaGuer's victim is still waiting for their apology from Deval.

The family of the elderly Leominster woman raped and sodomized by Benjamin LaGuer is demanding Gov. Deval Patrick make it his first order of business to apologize to them for trying to help LaGuer clear his name.

“The new administration is very insensitive to victims,” charged Bob Barry of Worcester, the now-deceased victim’s son-in-law. “We feel that (Patrick) doesn’t get it about real families and real crime.”

UPDATE: Member of Patrick's Transition Team still lobbying for LaGuer:

A member of Gov. Deval Patrick’s transition team is lobbying state police to review DNA tests in the Ben LaGuer rape case, even after Patrick’s pledge to let the courts sort out the controversy.

Nation of Islam Minister Don Muhammad, a longtime LaGuer supporter and a member of Patrick’s public-safety advisory team, has been pushing state police attorneys to reopen the case to determine if materials tested for DNA were mishandled.

I doubt anyone is shocked by the headline in today's Boston Herald that Benjamin LaGuer, the brutal convicted rapist, wants Governor-elect Deval Patrick to order new DNA tests in an attempt to exonerate him.

Just when he thought he had put the Ben LaGuer nightmare behind him, Gov.-elect Deval Patrick faces another headache as the convicted rapist reaches out from behind bars in a plea for the new governor to officially intervene in his case.

Speaking by phone from the maximum security prison in Shirley, LaGuer told the Herald he wants Patrick to launch his “transparent” administration by ordering a full review of his case, including examining DNA tests the con claims were botched by cops.

“I would like for the Deval Patrick administration to order the state police to review the DNA testing in my case,” LaGuer said. “I would like the transparency to begin with ordering the state police to investigate.”

Through a spokesman, Deval Patrick has indicated that since the case in pending in court, he will not intervene.

Come on Mr. LaGuer...just be patient. Your commutation is coming.

It was really pathetic when members of the National Organization of Women said that Deval Patrick's support for a convicted rapist somehow meant he was a protector of women... but adding to the ridiculousness that is Deval Patrick, a Ben LaGuer apologist, Minister Don Mohammed (Nation of Islam, Boston) is on the Patrick/Murray Public Safety and Security Transition Team!

That's right, not only did governor-elect try to get convicted rapist Ben LaGuer paroled, but his chief-of-staff is a supporter of LaGuer, as is a member of his Public Safety and Security Transition Team.

It looks like convicted rapist and Deval Patrick ally Benjamin LaGuer is feeling a bit "bus chucked" by the Governer-elect these days.

Convicted rapist Ben LaGuer had a strong ally in Deval Patrick but now apparently feels the governor-elect turned his back on him.

In a letter to the Herald this week, LaGuer said he felt like he had been “kicked under the bus” by Patrick when the controversy over Patrick’s support for him hit the media.

LaGuer apparently underestimated the voters of the Commonwealth--he thought that once the Patrick-LaGuer connection was front and center in the campaign, that he would be blamed for Patrick's loss.

In his letter, LaGuer said he knew his case would become a “weapon” against Patrick as soon as he heard the Milton lawyer was running for governor. He also apparently harbored fears that he would become to Patrick what furloughed killer Willie Horton was to former Gov. Michael Dukakis.

“For a moment . . . I was scared of being blamed for Deval Patrick losing his historic race,” LaGuer wrote.

The Herald believes LaGuer will wait until February to petition the Governor's office for a pardon. Let's be realistic...the application will be waiting on the Governor's desk by inauguration day.

Yesterday we asked what will happen to Ben LaGuer now that Deval Patrick has been elected governor.

Well, Deval Patrick's recent naming of Joan Wallace-Benjamin to be his chief of staff has the convicted rapist even closer to freedom.

Joan Wallace-Benjamin, you see, is a supporter of Ben LaGuer, and is listed on the testimonials page at BenLaGuer.com.

“He is a talented writer, an intelligent advocate, and a man whose experience and life lessons make him a valuable member of the community,” Dr. Joan Wallace-Benjamin, President, Urban League.

Being chief of staff is perhaps the most important job in the administration. She will be Patrick's closest aide and confidante, and she'll play a big role in all aspects of Deval Patrick's governorship.

What will she advise him to do if--or shall I say when--he is asked to commute Ben LaGuer's sentence? I can make a pretty good guess.

UPDATE: Here's a list of first term commutations by Governor Dukakis... Yikes...

UPDATE: The Boston Herald's David Wedge reports...

The state Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments next month and decide whether or not Deval Patrick's former pen pal Benjamin LaGuer should get a new trial.

Worcester prosecutors, citing “overwhelming evidence” and arguing that “justice has been done,” are pleading with the state’s highest court to deny convicted rapist Ben LaGuer his eighth bid for a new trial.

The 59-year-old victim “consistently” identified LaGuer as the man who burst into her apartment July 13, 1983, and repeatedly raped and sodomized her over eight hours, Worcester District Attorney John J. Conte wrote in a scathing filing this week.

“He verbally abused her and taunted her, punched her in the face, jumped on her chest, tried to suffocate her, gagged her with his sock and threatened to kill her,” Conte wrote of LaGuer.

But LaGuer claims he was illegally denied a fingerprint report that showed four prints lifted from a phone in the victim’s apartment didn’t match his. Conte claims prosecutors never had the report. A hearing before the state Supreme Judicial Court is expected next month.

Did LaGuer hear the election results? Patrick won... Don't even worry about it, you'll be out on the streets again in no time after inauguration day.

Why hasn't the Deval Patrick campaign put on a muzzle on this guy Ben LaGuer...I don't think it's helpful to Patrick if LaGuer keeps stumping for him.

My name is Ben LaGuer. I am one of the men at the center of Lt. Governor Kerry Healey's political campaign ads attacking Deval Patrick. The truth about my care of who I am cannot be found anywhere in Kerry Healey's disingenuous campaign ads. In 1983, after just getting out of the Army and with no criminal record, I was charges and subsequently wrongly convicted of rape and sentenced to life in prison. I was initially offered a two-year sentence under a plea bargain; however, I could not plead guilty to a horrendous crime that I did not commit. During the past 23 years in prison, I have maintained my innocence which has only kept me in jail longer. However, I continue to have faith in our judicial system and pray that the truth will some day prevail. In a short time, The Supreme Judicial Court will hear my case.

For years the Worcester District Attorney John J. Conte's office has waged a scurrilous prosecution against me. Due process of law required that the prosecutor timely disclose evidence in his possession that could materially aid in my defense. The prosecutor withheld for almost two decades fingerprints lifted from crucial crime scene evidence- fingerprints that excluded me. In addition, the widely held view that the DNA test "further linked LaGuer to the rape" is not accurate. Personal articles taken from my bedroom were sent for DNA testing, but were misrepresented to lab technicians as being taken from the crime scene. A group of independent forensic experts, including prominent scientists from Harvard and John Jay College of Criminal Justice, has concluded that the DNA testing in my case has no forensic value. There are numerous other irregularities that challenge the integrity of the prosecutor's case against me, all of which should be of concern to any fair-minded individual- especially to someone holding public office.

As the Kerry Healey campaign continues to run smear and fear ads featuring me, I am hopeful that the people of Massachusetts will choose a Governor based on real issues that affect their daily lives. I only with that Republicans and Democrats could come together and act for the greater and common good of all people.

Ben LaGuer

Mr. Thoughtful and Eloquent needs to get a proofreader. Perhaps Deval Patrick should have written this letter on his behalf. Hey, give LaGuer credit, he finally learned how to spell "Healey."

Another poll, this one from the Boston Globe and CBS4, has Patrick ahead by 25 points.

Patrick led the GOP nominee, 54 percent to 29 percent, in the survey of 585 likely voters that was taken Sunday through Wednesday evening. Independent Christy Mihos remained a distant third with 8 percent, and Green-Rainbow Party candidate Grace Ross received 2 percent. Only 6 percent of the respondents said they were undecided.

Here's the bizarre part.

A majority of those surveyed, 54 percent, said they believed that Healey "crossed over the line" with her negative ads, which have highlighted Patrick's advocacy on behalf of convicted rapist Benjamin LaGuer and a man convicted of killing a police officer. Almost half of the respondents -- 45 percent -- said that Healey's ads have made them less likely to vote for her while 10 percent said they are more likely to back her.

So, let me see if I understand this correctly... A majority of Massachusetts likely voters are more bothered by Healey's ads than they are bothered by the fact that Deval Patrick tried to put a convicted rapist back on the streets, even donated to money him, and that he was caught lying about it?

So, trying to free a convicted rapist is morally superior to running negative ads?

I don't get it.

All three are on the stump for Deval Patrick, and engaging in attacks against Kerry Healey on behalf of Mr. Soft on Crime.

Convicted rapist Ben La-Guer is ripping Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey’s “smear and fear” tactics from behind bars, charging that her political attack ads on his case are misleading and inaccurate.

“One might think . . . watching gubernatorial candidate Kerry Healy’s (sic) ads, that my guilt is a settled issue,” La-Guer wrote in a letter to the Herald. “I suppose Kerry Healy (sic) found no room in her 30 second spot featuring me to put (in) a few facts.”

LaGuer, who was convicted in 1984 of brutally raping and beating a Leominster grandmother, has become the poster boy for critics who accuse Democrat Deval Patrick of being soft on crime.

With his case back in the spotlight, LaGuer this week sent out letters proclaiming his innocence and criticizing Republicans for playing politics with his legal fight.

“I am hopeful that the people in Massachusetts will choose a Governor based on real issues that affect their daily lives,” he wrote. “The truth about my case or who I am cannot be found anywhere in Kerry Healey’s disingenuous campaign ads.”

Mr. Eloquent and Thoughtful can't even spell 'Healey'... of course, a few of our friends across the aisle can't spell it either, or just choose not to spell it correctly.

After a forum this morning in Faneuil Hall, Deval Patrick said he's "had about enough" of Healey's television ads criticizing his support of convicted rapist Ben LaGuer.

“I will tell you that the Healey campaign is on my last nerve,” Patrick said after this morning’s candidates’ forum sponsored by AARP Massachusetts. “But we are not going to go to her level, and to that campaign’s level because we have built this organization. And it has turned from a campaign to a movement for change because of a positive vision and specific ideas about how we move Massachusetts forward to a brighter future and I’m not going to break faith with that.”

A brighter future with rapists and cop killers back on the streets, of course.

Perhaps someone should have told Patrick that if he didn't want people talking about his record that he shouldn't have run for governor.

Why does Deval think that he can attack Healey's record, but she can't attack his?

When asked by Kim Atkins "if he felt he was duped by LaGuer's 'thoughtful' and 'eloquent' pleas, he answered "Listen, I think his letters, his writing is eloquent. That’s a fact."

Another fact: Deval Patrick is soft on crime.

As Deval Patrick defends his record on crime, he's got one advocate who has a lot of first-hand knowledge of his record going to bat for him: Ben LaGuer. The convicted brutal rapist was recently quoted in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, sounding much like a Deval Patrick surrogate, taking a jab a Healey:

Mr. LaGuer said the candidates could handle the political fallout from the recent days’ hoopla.

“He’s a big boy and Kerry Healey is a big girl, and she has cop killers that are cleaning up at the Statehouse,” Mr. LaGuer said, referring to a report in the Boston Herald that a violent criminal had been given light duty on Beacon Hill.

Besides the irony that Ben LaGuer is taking a swipe at Kerry Healey, he is very closely echoing the rhetoric of Deval Patrick's surrogates. Maybe he's really been following the news, but it almost sounds like he's going right off of Deval Patrick's talking points.

A " quickie Fast Track survey" by CBS4 shows that an overwhelming majority of voters (59%) believe that Deval Patrick's involvement in the LaGuer rape case will have a negative effect on his campaign. A delusional 6% think it will actually help him.

Considering that Deval Patrick's high poll numbers are because of his image and not his positions, the LaGuer Effect on his campaign will be likely be devastating.

The pro-Deval Patrick crowd was quick to cite the Scott Fappiano case in their pathetic attempt to defend Ben LaGuer, and Deval Patrick's dealings with the convicted rapist. The New York Times reported on Fappiano's release:

If not for a chance inventory of DNA samples gathering dust in a Connecticut warehouse, Scott Fappiano might still be lifting weights in prison.

But after the samples were discovered by his lawyers last year, Mr. Fappiano finally had the evidence he had sought for half of his life. Yesterday, a State Supreme Court judge vacated his conviction for the 1983 rape of a Brooklyn woman, after the tests showed he had not committed the crime for which he spent more than two decades in prison.

The references to the Fappiano case only prove that Ben LaGuer is sitting where he belongs. Fappiano was exonerated by a DNA test, while Ben LaGuer's guilt was further validated by a DNA test. Seems quite simple to me; why don't the fans of Patrick and LaGuer get that? Why do they still try to suggest that justice has not been served or that LaGuer did not get a fair trial? Fair trial or not, the DNA test should be more than enough to close the book on LaGuer.

The "dusty DNA samples" in the Ben LaGuer case proved his guilt. LaGuer had his trial, and a DNA test (sponsored in part by Deval Patrick); and the results of both conclude the same thing. Guilty. Patrick can claim all he wants that he stopped supporting LaGuer after the DNA test, but he has repeatedly lied about his LaGuer patronage, feels proud of his actions, and has said the only reason he wouldn't recommend parole for LaGuer if he becomes governor is because he is currently running for governor. These things speak volumes about Deval Patrick's character, and his true feelings about the Benjamin LaGuer case.

It is so sad--and humorous--to watch the liberals continue to grasp for straws and defend Ben LaGuer and Deval Patrick's involvement in the case. They can pretend all they want that the recent emphasis on Patrick's patronage of Ben LaGuer is a sign of "desperation" or "nervousness" in the Healey camp, but in reality, it shows just how desperate and nervous the Deval Patrick supporters are getting due to the political fallout of the Patrick/LaGuer story.

What does Scott Fappiano have to do with Ben LaGuer? Nothing.

The pro-Deval Patrick crowd was quick to cite the Scott Fappiano case in their pathetic attempt to defend Ben LaGuer, and Deval Patrick's dealings with the convicted rapist. The New York Times reported on Fappiano's release:

If not for a chance inventory of DNA samples gathering dust in a Connecticut warehouse, Scott Fappiano might still be lifting weights in prison.

But after the samples were discovered by his lawyers last year, Mr. Fappiano finally had the evidence he had sought for half of his life. Yesterday, a State Supreme Court judge vacated his conviction for the 1983 rape of a Brooklyn woman, after the tests showed he had not committed the crime for which he spent more than two decades in prison.

The references to the Fappiano case only prove that Ben LaGuer is sitting where he belongs. Fappiano was exonerated by a DNA test, while Ben LaGuer's guilt was further validated by a DNA test. Seems quite simple to me; why don't the fans of Patrick and LaGuer get that? Why do they still try to suggest that justice has not been served or that LaGuer did not get a fair trial? Fair trial or not, the DNA test should be more than enough to close the book on LaGuer.

The "dusty DNA samples" in the Ben LaGuer case proved his guilt. LaGuer had his trial, and a DNA test (sponsored in part by Deval Patrick); and the results of both conclude the same thing. Guilty. Patrick can claim all he wants that he stopped supporting LaGuer after the DNA test, but he has repeatedly lied about his LaGuer patronage, feels proud of his actions, and has said the only reason he wouldn't recommend parole for LaGuer if he becomes governor is because he is currently running for governor. These things speak volumes about Deval Patrick's character, and his true feelings about the Benjamin LaGuer case.

It is so sad--and humorous--to watch the liberals continue to grasp for straws and defend Ben LaGuer and Deval Patrick's involvement in the case. They can pretend all they want that the recent emphasis on Patrick's patronage of Ben LaGuer is a sign of "desperation" or "nervousness" in the Healey camp, but in reality, it shows just how desperate and nervous the Deval Patrick supporters are getting due to the political fallout of the Patrick/LaGuer story.

What does Scott Fappiano have to do with Ben LaGuer? Nothing.

Now this is shocking. When Deval Patrick was asked again whether he would recommend convicted rapist Ben LaGuer for parole, he answered, "No is the answer because I'm running for governor, and now everything is overly scrutinized."

So let's get this straight...The only reason he wouldn't recommend LaGuer for parole was because he is running for Governor. Not because LaGuer is guilty and the DNA evidence proves his guilt. He said he would recommend LaGuer for parole because of the increased scrutiny his actions receive because of his gubernatorial bid.

So if political fallout wasn't an issue he would still recommend parolefor a brutal convicted rapist who was linked to the crime by DNA evidence.

Is Deval Patrick weak on crime? He's much worse... he's pro-criminal.

I'm listening to John DePetro on WRKO right now, and the son-in-law of Ben LaGuer's victim is on the line, and he said that they received a phone call from Deval Patrick last night.

Did Deval apologize for his past support of LaGuer? Nope. Instead, he apologized that this case has become a political issue in this campaign. Of course he's sorry for that... it's become a political liability for him!

Despite the fact that DNA evidence implicated LaGuer for the brutal rape, Deval Patrick can't even admit he was wrong, and can't even apologize to the victim's family for supporting the monster.

Deval Patrick's story just keeps on changing, almost daily.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Patrick's previously asserted "sole involvement" in the effort to free a convicted rapist was just a letter written 10 years ago, is wrong, when in fact, Patrick is now acknowledging that he helped pay for the DNA test that later proved LaGuer was guilty.

The disclosure is the latest evidence that the Democratic nominee for governor was more deeply involved in the controversial effort to free Benjamin LaGuer than his statements to reporters indicated.

Last night, after inquiries from the Globe, Patrick's campaign released a letter thanking Patrick for his ``generous contribution" to help pay for the test. It was written by David Siegel, LaGuer's lawyer at the time and a professor at the New England School of Law.

Earlier yesterday, Patrick said he had ``absolutely no memory" of contributing to the effort.

Patrick is sounding more and more like an "insider" every day. Lies, obfuscations and secrecy. What happened to bringing transparency to Beacon Hill? He can't even bring transparency to his campaign.

Elizabeth Barry, the daughter of woman who was raped and tortured by Ben LaGuer, and her family are speaking out about Deval Patrick's letters supporting his release.

"I don't think anyone knows the facts they were not there," Robert Barry, the victim's son in law, said.

But Democrat Deval Patrick is one of several high profile people who wrote several letters of support to Laguer and the state parole board seeking his release between August of 1998 and April of 2000.

Patrick, then a civil rights attorney, even told the board that Laguer was thoughtful and insightful.

"How could anyone say that without knowing him? He's a monster," Barry said.

Things aren't looking up for Deval Patrick.

As disturbing as Deval Patrick's involvement in the LaGuer case is, the fact that he's defending his actions (and horribly I must say) is even more disturbing.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Deval Patrick today defended letters he wrote urging the release of convicted rapist Ben LaGuer, while GOP contender Kerry Healey said the letters show Patrick cares more about criminals than their victims.

The two campaigns emerged from their second debate last night throwing haymakers, as Patrick’s prior support of LaGuer dominated the chatter at morning press events.

Patrick wrote two letters to the state’s parole board urging LaGuer’s release because he had been impressed by letters he received from the convicted rapist. While acknowledging he had never met LaGuer, Patrick said today he wrote the letters out of concern for “racism in the jury room.”

It all comes down race doesn't it?

Patrick has fought back accusing Lt. Governor Healey of making a "cheap political shot,” for criticizing him over this story. Well, Deval's actions in the LaGuer case, as well anything he's done while in the Department of Justice is fair game. He's regularly cited his DOJ experience as evidence of his leadership, and now we're seeing just what his leadership has done.

This is going to hurt Deval's campaign and his image. For a man who preaches "speaking the truth," he certainly doesn't know about how to practice "speaking the truth." He's lied about his role in the case. He's lied to the people of Massachusetts. He's lied to the voters who he thinks are going to elect him because he talks about "leadership," and a "message of hope."

Well, the only message of hope being heard right now from Deval Patrick is for convicted criminals who want to get back on the streets. Brutal rapists, murderers, and cop-killers certainly would love to see Deval Patrick as governor. After all, they are the ones whom Deval Patrick has been fighting for. He's worked to overturn death sentence for cop killers for crying out loud!

Is this really the man we want as governor?

UPDATE: Jon Keller sees the Willie Horton connection... we saw it too.

Deval Patrick has been caught in a lie about his advocacy of convicted rapist Benjamin LaGuer.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deval L. Patrick, who has sought to downplay his advocacy on behalf of a convicted rapist serving a life sentence, wrote two letters to the Massachusetts Parole Board seeking his release and also corresponded with him in the late 1990s.

``He appears well prepared to make a positive re-entry and important contribution to the community of responsible citizens," Patrick wrote the Parole Board on behalf of Benjamin LaGuer, who was found guilty of tying up and raping a neighbor for eight hours in 1983.

The Parole Board turned down LaGuer, who returned to the board for a second time in April 2000. Patrick again wrote to the board, urging LaGuer's release. Again, LaGuer was turned down.

A quotation from one of Patrick's letters was removed from LaGuer's website in the last several days, after Patrick issued a statement suggesting he no longer supported the effort to free the convicted rapist. Patrick said he had reviewed the history of the case and concluded that ``justice has been served," in light of a 2002 DNA test that confirmed the prosecution 's case against LaGuer.

In the same statement, issued Thursday night, Patrick sought to minimize his ties to LaGuer: ``My sole involvement in this case was more than 10 years ago, when I wrote a letter on Mr. LaGuer's behalf."

At an event last week he told reporters: ``I know who he is. He is someone on whose behalf I wrote, I think, maybe 15 years ago."

Try as recently as six years ago.

But letters obtained by the Globe indicate Patrick's involvement was more recent and more significant than he has suggested. He wrote the Parole Board in 1998 and again in 2000. He also wrote at least twice to LaGuer himself, addressing the notes ``Dear Ben."

``I am sorry not to have written sooner," Patrick, then a lawyer in private practice, wrote in a letter to LaGuer dated July 16, 1998. ``It's not that it wasn't `appropriate,' just the overwhelming press of other business. Given the significance of events in your life, I am embarrassed that I did not make the time."

On Aug. 5, 1998, and again on April 3, 2000, Patrick asked the Parole Board to set LaGuer free.

``I have never met Mr. LaGuer in person," wrote Patrick to the Parole Board. ``But, thanks to a lively exchange of correspondence over the years, I do feel I know him. I receive a crushing volume of mail, much of it from prisoners in facilities all over this country. None of it is as thoughtful, insightful, eloquent, or humane as that I receive from Mr. LaGuer. . . . I urge you and your colleagues on the Parole Board to act favorably on his application."

Deval Patrick talks a lot about "speaking the truth," but when it came to his past support for LaGuer, he spoke lies.

It's clear that not only is Deval Patrick soft on crime, he's really soft on criminals.

UPDATE: Big surprise, Patrick is whining, and calling Healey's criticisms a "cheap political shot."

Is this the kind of person you really want to be governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts?

Democratic candidate for governor Deval Patrick once joined other pols and lawyers in backing a convicted rapist’s bid for parole, support that is being highlighted on a Web site dedicated to the controversial case.

Patrick is among several high-profile politicians, attorneys and academics quoted on the site supporting Ben LaGuer, a former soldier convicted in 1984 of the vicious rape of a 59-year-old Leominster woman.

“I. . . have serious misgivings about the integrity of the criminal justice system in this case, as I believe any citizen would,” the site quotes Patrick as saying.
[...]
LaGuer is not the first convicted violent felon Patrick has backed. When he was an attorney for the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund in the 1980s, Patrick fought to save two cop killers from death row, winning one of the appeals.

With this kind of record, Patrick could win the endorsement of the likes of convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal and Willie Horton. Is this the kind of guy we want as governor? Can we trust Patrick, with his attitude on the justice system to not make the same deadly mistake as former Governor Dukakis by letting convicted murderers like Willie Horton back on the streets of Massachusetts? I think we all should be afraid of that.

Rapists and murderers (especially cop killers) may have a vested interest in Patrick winning the general election, but the rest of us do not.