MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Herald
By Laurel J. Sweet and Michele McPhee
Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - Updated: 09:34 AM EST
The eccentric inmate awaiting trial for the 2003 murder of defrocked pedophile priest John Geoghan tried to kill himself by swallowing an 8-foot-long television cable, according to a prison source familiar with the case.
The source said when Joseph Druce ``doesn't get his own way, he self-mutilates.''
How Druce, 40 – who previously acted out in front of a prison security camera how he choked and stomped Geoghan to death in his cell – would even have access to such equipment was unclear.
Citing medical confidentiality, Diane Wiffin, spokeswoman for the state Department of Correction, refused comment yesterday. Calls to Druce's attorney were not returned.
Wiffin did say there is ``no truth'' to claims that Druce is in poor physical health following emergency surgery. A source familiar with Druce's situation said he is in a prison hospital recovering from his injuries.