WORCESTER (MA)
Boston.com
By Adam Gorlick, Associated Press Writer | September 9, 2005
WORCESTER, Mass. --Joseph Druce couldn't contain his pride and excitement as he admitted killing defrocked pedophile priest John Geoghan in his prison cell, according to the officer who interviewed Druce after the slaying.
"I killed the child molester," Druce blurted out, according to Department of Correction Lt. Edward Hammond, who said Druce made the statement before he had the chance to read him his Miranda rights.
Druce then made a full confession after he was advised of his right to remain silent, Hammond said.
"He wanted to comply. He wanted to talk about the whole entire incident," Hammond said Friday, testifying during a hearing on a motion by Druce's lawyer to prevent prosecutors from using Druce's statements during his trial.
Hammond said Druce signed a waiver of his Miranda rights as "Rev. Joseph Druce," with a "big, old smile" on his face.
What followed was an animated narrative delivered by Druce about how he slipped into Geoghan's cell in August 2003, jammed the door shut so no one could enter, then beat the 68-year-old priest and strangled him with a pair of socks "until he observed blood coming out of inmate Geoghan's nose and ears," Hammond said.
"He definitely indicated that he'd be famous, that the pope would know him," Hammond said.