Mass. man convicted in 1983 rape he denies makes 4th parole request after 27 years in prison

Mass. man convicted in 1983 rape seeks parole

NATICK, Mass. — A Massachusetts man who has spent nearly 27 years in prison for a rape he insists he didn’t commit is making his fourth request for freedom.

Benjamin LaGuer has won high-profile supporters, including Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, since being sentenced to life in the rape of his 59-year-old Leominster neighbor. But the state Parole Board has rejected his three previous bids for release.

Former Boston University president John Silber testified for LaGuer at Thursday’s hearing, calling him “a genuine victim” who was wrongly convicted.

A prosecutor cited 30 disciplinary reports against LaGuer and says he has spent his time in prison feeling “entitled.”

A decision is expected within six to eight weeks.