tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post4048764587641054871..comments2024-03-18T22:16:20.429-04:00Comments on Hell's Acres: The Daniel Croteau Murder, Part 5Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-60851968513228906222024-02-10T00:32:57.949-05:002024-02-10T00:32:57.949-05:00By the time he was killed, Danny was, from what I ...By the time he was killed, Danny was, from what I could tell after reading EJs book, a willing abuse victim. Wasnt Danny engaging in prostitution in downtown Springfield? I think Danny went willingly to the bridge with Lavigne because I think they planned on engaging in sexual activity. I'm sure Lavigne kept Danny's pockets full of cash from the collection plate coffers as incentive. I was a bad kid at that age myself having first been arrested at the age of 10, and by the time I was 13..forget it. Danny was a grown up at 13, albeit against his will.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-23158105451776343712024-02-10T00:16:02.662-05:002024-02-10T00:16:02.662-05:00Don't forget--Danny was supposedly an accompli...Don't forget--Danny was supposedly an accomplished blackmailer at 13, so when he said "I'll tell", which I think he would say often when he wanted to get his way, or when he wanted money, it became second nature for him to blurt it out. I don't think he was threatening to tell about the molestation by Lavigne, but something else like I mentioned earlier about that unsolved altar boy murder. But Lavigne probably heard the "I'll tell" threat one too many times and figured it's only a matter of time before Danny spills the beans about whatever the big secret wasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-15599776455233125922021-05-28T08:31:58.220-04:002021-05-28T08:31:58.220-04:00O’Neil may have been a nice guy but he was complic...O’Neil may have been a nice guy but he was complicit in the coverup. He should have been compelled to testify or simply to do the right thing.Hell’s Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-35952210578471803762021-05-28T00:20:06.607-04:002021-05-28T00:20:06.607-04:00Reading this again after years have passed and rea...Reading this again after years have passed and realized O'Neil was the Bishop who showed up to my uncles funeral. Family said he should have been the Bishop of Springfield, but that a native son was not allowed to be elevated to Bishop.M Lefebvrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04893546925528225117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-55198213052782575832021-05-12T07:06:04.329-04:002021-05-12T07:06:04.329-04:00What about Father Quinlan?What about Father Quinlan?Hell’s Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-2061030065755168622021-05-11T23:00:34.027-04:002021-05-11T23:00:34.027-04:00Quinlan?Quinlan?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-80933599516109653592018-05-12T14:07:58.862-04:002018-05-12T14:07:58.862-04:00HI Joe,
Thanks for the comment. But I have to ask...HI Joe,<br /><br />Thanks for the comment. But I have to ask: when were the Springfield newspapers brutal to Ryan? It was the Boston Globe Spotlight Team that went after him in 1990 for his cozy relationship with the mob. The Globe's articles led to him not seeking re-election. The Springfield newspaper reporters, if anything, were embarrassed that they had given Ryan a free pass all those years, according to blogger Tommy Devine: http://tommydevine.blogspot.com/2009/07/journalism-fiasco.html.<br /><br />The Republican newspaper did run an editorial that was critical of Ryan shortly after he died, but that's about all I can recall.<br /><br />It's interesting that you bring up the "roll a fag" incident. In the book The Circle, a member of the gang indeed goes hitchhiking, is picked up by a man who offers him $50 to perform oral sex on him, and then the Circle guy grabs the $50 and runs.<br /><br />I'm not sure if you had been interviewed by any detectives or private detective RC Stevens, but Stevens had been trying to assemble a timeline of Danny's whereabouts prior to his death, and this info would be invaluable. It places Danny in the Acres Center the night of his death, where some think he might have been heading. More importantly, the prospect of being "rolled" certainly gives a murderer a motive--or at least prompted a fight under that bridge that got out of hand.<br /><br />You can reach Stevens at his hotline at 1-877-582-0497 or email him at psiiinc@cs.com. The scenario you describe certainly makes sense. It was obviously not a planned murder and hitting the boy in the head with a rock was an impulsive act. Maybe only Danny knew the person he was planning to "roll" that night. But I suspect others might as well. I'm wondering how many others knew of Danny's plans that night but were reluctant to talk to police in 1972 and when the case was reopened decades later.<br /><br />Thanks again for your input. It does shed some light on things. Did Danny describe the guy he was going to roll or how he "knew" the man?Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-54036169368728480302018-05-12T13:12:13.772-04:002018-05-12T13:12:13.772-04:00That's ridiculous. The Springfield newspaper w...That's ridiculous. The Springfield newspaper was brutal to Matt Ryan.<br /><br /> Matt knew his job and wasn't going to indict someone without evidence just to garner headlines.<br /> Later when all the witnesses came forward, including his own nephews, Matt was mad as only Matt could be that they hadn't said a thing until settlements were in play.<br /><br />I was hanging around the center the night Dan was murdered, he was all upset because someone else had backed out of going with him to go "roll a fag." He said he was going to go by himself and that's the end of it. <br /><br />Every time I see Danny described as "Altar-boy Danny Croteau" it makes me remember how badly the press twists things to add drama. Danny was a little kid who constantly wanted to impress the older kids with how cool he was. He tried way too hard.<br /> What happened to him was terrible, but he may have brought the first blow upon himself.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14541821093279691956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-90067130008156537432017-08-15T21:13:42.295-04:002017-08-15T21:13:42.295-04:00Hey Geoff,
His parents were told by the DA to h...Hey Geoff, <br /><br />His parents were told by the DA to hold off on these prosecutions because they would jeopardize the murder case. They did as they were told but they should have gone to the media--maybe not the Springfield papers, because they were soft on Ryan, but maybe the Boston Globe.Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-4876122761524361572017-08-15T20:53:31.824-04:002017-08-15T20:53:31.824-04:00Hi there , my name is Jeff. I grew up in Hungry Hi...Hi there , my name is Jeff. I grew up in Hungry Hill but we move to the Acres in the late 80's. We lived a few house down from the Croteau's, my mom still lives there and I'm in the area quite a bit. I remember a time when you could drive your car to the spot on that river underneath the bridge. It was a creepy desolate place of it's own accord but adding in the knowledge that Danny was killed there made the place seem much more sinister. My only question is if the police knew that Lavigne molested Danny's brothers why was he not at least charged with thatGeoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198331962685365757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-67470025831536101782017-08-12T21:36:18.548-04:002017-08-12T21:36:18.548-04:00Still think it was an unplanned act. It was likely...Still think it was an unplanned act. It was likely a drunken argument that got out of hand quickly. Molesters are all about control and the murderer freaked out. <br /><br />Then again, maybe it was a half-assed setup. Who knows? Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-47029586018741817262017-08-12T00:15:04.833-04:002017-08-12T00:15:04.833-04:00Perhaps he lured him there as others awaited. We s...Perhaps he lured him there as others awaited. We should make a time line of events. You got one here with your coverage in the past months, but I get confused because the case spans the ages. It's hard to keep all the facts steady as I theorize.FromTheAcresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-10113653418775395382017-08-11T21:56:43.507-04:002017-08-11T21:56:43.507-04:00I can see a scenario in which Lavigne tried to pas...I can see a scenario in which Lavigne tried to pass him off to someone else in the ring, an argument ensues, Danny threatens to tell on everyone, and that someone takes a rock to Danny's head. That would explain Lavigne's "inconsistent" responses in the first polygraph test--he didn't do it but he was at the scene and felt responsible.Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-77944387178100618732017-08-11T20:35:04.041-04:002017-08-11T20:35:04.041-04:00Maybe not experienced murderers? It is said that ...Maybe not experienced murderers? It is said that a struggle took place. Plus Danny was a good sized kid and not a wimp. FromTheAcresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-92218075379186637632017-08-11T15:22:13.186-04:002017-08-11T15:22:13.186-04:00That would explain the other DNA on the straw, but...That would explain the other DNA on the straw, but this still looked like a spontaneous act, not a premeditated one.Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-88347931800233945732017-08-11T15:07:55.082-04:002017-08-11T15:07:55.082-04:00What I'm theorizing is that Croteau was somewh...What I'm theorizing is that Croteau was somewhat comfortable with Lavigne, but as Croteau was introduced to other predators he became uncomfortable and threatened to speak. The greater group of pedophiles caught wind of Croteau's rebellion and decided to off him. They knew Lavigne would be the only natural suspect. FromTheAcresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-63741422587452900522017-08-11T14:29:10.066-04:002017-08-11T14:29:10.066-04:00Either way, the Shattucks had a vendetta with Lavi...Either way, the Shattucks had a vendetta with Lavigne. I don't think that should be ignored. We have a history of political corruption in this city. This case didn't escape the tentacles. Lavigne would've done the time for murder, but he had dirt on his superiors. Lavigne sensed he was being used as a patsy and probably threatened to snitch and bring people down with him. This was a plea bargain made in the shadows. That's why none of it makes sense. FromTheAcresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-3121146866719127782017-08-11T13:36:59.669-04:002017-08-11T13:36:59.669-04:00OK, I'm back!
I see your point, but Joseph Sh...OK, I'm back!<br /><br />I see your point, but Joseph Shattuck's account, by far the most extensive of the victims in the released files, is very believable. I read it all and I would have a hard time discounting any of it. The details are so incriminating because they really do paint a picture of a preferential child molester and none of it rings false. It was a really sincere victim statement, and he was reluctant to go forward until his sister prodded him. Stern was going after the cult angle, but he would have had a very, very difficult time defending Lavigne if it had gone to trial.Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-83361935081464282462017-08-11T12:46:43.188-04:002017-08-11T12:46:43.188-04:00OK, I just found your comment. The notification go...OK, I just found your comment. The notification got buried under spam. I'll get back to it in a bit--gotta go to a meeting!Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-13989247430450599112017-08-11T12:42:06.314-04:002017-08-11T12:42:06.314-04:00Hey FromTheAcres,
I answered your comment from Au...Hey FromTheAcres,<br /><br />I answered your comment from August 3. Did you send another one? If you did and I didn't get it, maybe there was some kind of glitch. If that's the case, feel free to send it again. Sorry.Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-14385129056939315822017-08-11T11:08:07.189-04:002017-08-11T11:08:07.189-04:00I guess you don't answer all comments or post ...I guess you don't answer all comments or post them. Thanks anyway.FromTheAcresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-81377084083680486562017-08-03T13:54:23.503-04:002017-08-03T13:54:23.503-04:00Who knows? There were a bunch of abusing Stigmatin...Who knows? There were a bunch of abusing Stigmatine Fathers at their seminary in Wellesley. Hard to imagine these two Stigmatines weren't at least acquainted with them: http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news/2002_08_10_Carroll_AbuseAlleged.htm.Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-55827065520235085092017-08-03T13:39:09.662-04:002017-08-03T13:39:09.662-04:00I wonder if Rev. Richard J. Ahearn, CSS or Stigmat...I wonder if Rev. Richard J. Ahearn, CSS or Stigmatine Joseph E. Flood from Sacred Heart in Agawam were part of this ring. This whole situation just shows how Eastern Mass sends their problems out here to Western Mass, no respect!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-42691282180733453462017-08-03T13:34:39.635-04:002017-08-03T13:34:39.635-04:00Certainly, I agree with what you are saying here. ...Certainly, I agree with what you are saying here. Still, you don't find it suspicious that the younger Shattuck was a victim? The son of a guy who took over a cult? A group who apparently had a vendetta with Lavigne? I'm not getting hostile here or making Lavigne out to look like a good guy, I just get too into this at times. Thanks for covering this topic and the blog in general. Also for answering commentsFromTheAcresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-22520992398105326402017-08-03T13:21:29.541-04:002017-08-03T13:21:29.541-04:00I think if Ryan knew AT THE TIME (late 1960s) that...I think if Ryan knew AT THE TIME (late 1960s) that the molestations involved family members, something would have happened. Perhaps the murder would have been prevented. But, as is so often the case, the victims soldiered on in silence. Understandably, pre-teens and teens have a hard time processing these kinds incidents. Sometimes they act out. The behavior of some Circle Gang members is a perfect example.Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.com