Massachusetts man convicted of beating, urinating on, raping, slitting throat of 18-year-old cognitively delayed woman granted parole with conditions

A Massachusetts man convicted of a series of brutally violent crimes against a teen has been granted parole with conditions.

According to the Parole Board, on the night of October 14, 1977, an 18-year-old cognitively- delayed woman was introduced by an acquaintance to a group of individuals, including Gary Moody, who was 31 at the time, and his co-defendants, at a lounge in downtown Boston. After an evening of playing pool and drinking, the group left in a car and traveled to Franklin Park. On the way, Moody stated that he had won a bet while playing pool with the woman and was entitled to have sex with her. He, along with another individual, beat the woman before they reached the park. Once they arrived, Moody and another individual left the car with the victim. She was later observed to be crying, with her pants pulled down, as Moody urinated on her. The group then proceeded in the car to Columbia Point, where Moody repeatedly beat the victim and demanded money from her. He stripped off what remained of her clothes, forced her to perform oral sex on him, and raped her. Once at Columbia Point, Moody again raped the victim. Two other individuals sexually assaulted her, as well. 

As the car departed Columbia Point, Moody continued to physically and sexually assault the victim while he demanded her money. During the car ride, the victim was pushed to the floor and held in that position by Moody and others. Eventually, the car ended up near Mt. Wollaston Cemetery in Quincy. Moody said, “I have to get rid of her” and, with the help of another individual, dragged the victim into the cemetery and behind the car. Moody beat the victim and slit her throat, using the victim’s own pocketknife. Moody walked away, but then approached the victim again, kicking her numerous times before driving off and leaving her laying on the ground. 

Shortly thereafter, the victim stumbled to a nearby house and was transported to the hospital, where she remained for nearly a month and a half. As a result of the beatings and the stabbings, the victim suffered two black eyes, a broken nose, laceration of the throat (which pierced her esophagus and windpipe), and multiple bruises and lacerations about her face and head. 

On July 20, 1978, following a jury trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Moody was convicted of rape, robbery, assault to murder, and assault to battery with a dangerous weapon. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the rape conviction and 15 to 20 years for the robbery conviction. He was sentenced to 9 to 10 years each for the assault to murder conviction and the assault and battery with a dangerous weapon conviction. All four sentences were ordered to run concurrently with one another. Parole was denied following an initial hearing in 1993, and after review hearings in 1996, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019. 

In granting parole, the Board noted that Moody has been sober since 1986. He completed SOTP in 2014. Moody has not had any disciplinary reports since 1995 and incurred only 7 sanctioned tickets in 47 years. Moody was forthcoming in the hearing. The Board notes that since his last hearing, he has continued to experience significant health issues. The Board considered the psychological evaluation by Dr. Powers and the release plan by Alex Piajet, LICSW. Dr. Powers opined that Moody has addressed the causative factors contributing to his offending behavior and that his release plan will address his needs. The Board considered testimony from a friend of Moody, and from Piaget LICSW, in support of parole. The Board also considered testimony from Norfolk County ADA Michael McGee in opposition to parole. The Board concluded that Moody has demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society, 

Special conditions for parole include: CRJ Brook House; Clearance by DA; Waive work for retirement/disability; Supervise for drugs; testing in accordance with Agency policy; Supervise for liquor abstinence; testing in accordance with Agency policy; Report to assigned MA Parole Office on day of release; No contact with victim(s)’ family; Must have mental health counseling for adjustment; AA at least 3 times per week; Mandatory Sex A conditions.