Jeannine Graf's Story Still Resonating

The Commonwealth is still trying to keep serial rapist Ron Leno from walking out of Bridgewater Treatment Center where he is temporarily held.

Leno was the subject of many programs by talk show host Jeannine Graf a year ago before she was let go by 96.9FM after her exposure of the Fistgate scandal.

This rapist was prosecuted for committing five rapes between 1978 and 1980. He was convicted in four of those cases but served a reduced sentence. In 1989, Judge Grabau of Suffolk Superior Court ruled that Leno was no longer sexually dangerous. He was released on parole during the 90's, but this was revoked several times after he stalked young women and in one case tried to fondle a young waitress.

Leno has served his sentence and wants his freedom, but the state is invoking a 1999 law that allows criminal sex offenders to be committed to a treatment center after they complete their sentences if the courts determine they are still sexually dangerous.

There was confusion about whether the new law could be applied to those convicted before the law was passed. Critics of the law say it is like a second jail term imposed after a person already served his sentence.

Many sex offenders like Leno who completed their sentences and were about to go free were temporarily held last year until the Massachusetts Supreme Court decided the issue.

The SJC upheld the law last September. As a result, the prisoners can still be temporarily held. But in order to do so, the state has to prove to a court why the prisoners should be committed as sexually dangerous persons.

A probable cause hearing is now being held at Suffolk Superior Court before Judge Geraldine Hines in order to determine if Leno fits the statute. Leno was interviewed by a psychologist for the prosecution and was examined independently by another doctor at the request of his lawyer.

Probable Trial

Leno's attorney, Bruce Carroll, told Massachusetts News that the level of proof is minimal for the Commonwealth. He said if the state meets the burden, the statute requires that more doctors evaluate Leno and later there will be a trial.

The prosecution maintains that Leno is still sexually dangerous. They said Leno scored a seven out of a possible twelve on a psychological test where a six is considered high risk. His total score could have been even higher they said, but they gave him a zero on another part of the test that wasn't answered.

The prosecution also said Leno was "grooming" his next victims during the 90's when he was out on parole. They said Leno reduced the age requirements for his targets in order to "broaden the pool."

Leno's victims describe him as a charming, smooth talker who dresses in expensive suits and drives expensive cars.

According to court records:

Shortly after his parole in 1990, Leno tried to track down a woman to whom he had written threatening letters from prison. He did so by posing as her co-worker in an effort to get her home phone number from her family. As a result, his parole was revoked in February of 1991, but he was paroled again two months later.
In mid-1994, Leno visited a woman he tried to rape 20 years before. He went to her workplace and told her she "still looked good." After he called her twice to invite her to dinner, she contacted the Fitchburg police.
In September of 1994, a 15-year-old waitress at a Sutton donut shop reported to police that Leno offered her a computer job at his home, then grabbed her as she was refilling his coffee. His parole was revoked, but the charge of indecent assault and battery was subsequently dismissed in Uxbridge District Court a half-year later. The prosecution at the current hearing says that Leno's touching the girl clearly indicates he can't control his impulses.
Leno's parole was again revoked in February of 1997 after he stalked Julie, a 16-year-old clerk at a bakery he frequented. He then photographed her at a private dance recital and posed as her godfather when buying a video of her. No criminal charges resulted.
While on parole during 1996-97, Leno developed a romantic relationship with a 17-year-old female student. He was then in his late 40's.

MassNews asked defense Atty. Bruce Carroll if he isn't bothered by Leno's "grooming" of potential victims while he was out on parole. Carroll answered, "I can't account for why you would accept any of that behavior as "grooming." If someone is nice to you, it's not grooming. If someone approaches you and treats you with respect and consideration and doesn't force you to do anything, you're being a good guy. I don't regard being a nice person and treating people with respect and consideration as grooming."

Regarding the fondling incident, Dr. Leonard Bard who was a defense witness, said Leno has a tendency to "sabotage himself," but it is significant that he is able to accept responsibility and talk about it. Other than that, there is no indication in the other reports that Leno was involved in any criminal acts and he made no sexual advances, said Bard.

Dr. Bard said that what Leno did in the 90's was not grooming. He said the word is usually applied to someone trying to develop a relationship with children.

The ages of three of the girls Leno stalked were 15, 16 and 17.

Dr. Bard said Leno does not meet the definition of a sexually dangerous person first and foremost because he was adjudicated in 1989 as not sexually dangerous. He said Leno doesn't meet other criteria such as mental abnormality or personality disorder.

The father of a teenage girl who was stalked by Leno in 1997 said that if Leno is released, "My fear is he will disappear in a crowd and strike again."

Related stories may be found in our May 2000 issue.