Alex Kelly (rapist)

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For other uses, see Alex Kelly.

Alexander Andrew Kelly (born May 8, 1967) is an Irish-American from Darien, Connecticut, who was convicted of rape in 1997. He was born the middle of three children, having both an older and a younger brother.

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[edit] Crimes

Alex Kelly was charged with having committed two rapes in Darien, Connecticut, in 1986. Before his trial was due to begin in 1987, Kelly fled the United States and spent the next seven years on the run, mostly in Europe.[1] He reportedly took citizenship of the Republic of Ireland.[citation needed] Kelly's parents allegedly financed him during this seven-year period, although they were probably frequently unaware of his exact location. Law-enforcement authorities suspected this was the case and, on at least one occasion, raided the parents' house in an attempt to find evidence of Kelly's location or their assistance to him. No legal action, however, was taken against them.[2] Because Kelly was on the run in Europe, he missed the funeral when his older brother died.

In 1995, Kelly surrendered to authorities in Switzerland just as his passport was about to expire. He was extradited to the United States in order to stand trial on rape and kidnapping charges. Several lesser counts were excluded, as they were not specifically listed in the extradition treaty between the two nations.[3] Kelly faced two trials in 1997. After the first was declared a mistrial, the second resulted in his conviction for the first rape and a sentence of 16 years in prison.[4] He pleaded no contest to the second rape.[5]

In 2005, after having served eight years of his 16-year sentence, Kelly appeared before a Connecticut parole board; his bid for release was rejected.[6] On November 23, 2007, Kelly was released from prison on "good behavior". He is now required to serve 10 years probation, perform 200 hours of community service, pay a $10,000 fine, and register with the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry. While in prison, Kelly claims that he earned a bachelors degree in economics and third-world development. [7] After his release, Kelly became the subject of some chants started by New Canaan fans at a Darien/New Canaan sporting event.

[edit] Portrayals in the media

Alex Kelly's story was recounted in an episode of Dominick Dunne's Court TV series Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege, and Justice. It was also dramatized in the television movie Crime in Connecticut: The Story of Alex Kelly (also known as The Return of Alex Kelly), a two-hour production originally broadcast on March 16, 1999.[8] Kelly was also featured in an episode of A&E Network's series American Justice.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Neuffer, Elizabeth. "Accused Rapist And His Flight Trouble Darien", The New York Times, August 27, 1987. Accessed November 5, 2007. "A year ago Alex Kelly -a former drug addict and juvenile offender who became an honors student in high school and a top athlete here -was charged with the rapes of two teen-age girls."
  2. ^ Judson, George. " From Ski Slopes of Europe to a Rape Trial?; Eight Years After Fleeing, an Ex-Darien Athlete Surrenders in Switzerland", The New York Times, January 31, 1995. Accessed November 5, 2007. "But the authorities' satisfaction at having him in custody is tempered by the length of time he avoided trial, the help he may have received from his parents and legal maneuvering now aimed at reducing his charges. Prosecutors and investigators refuse to comment on whether either of his parents, Joseph and Melanie Kelly, will be charged with hindering prosecution."
  3. ^ "Switzerland to Return Fugitive in 1986 Rape-Kidnapping Cases", The New York Times, April 23, 1995. Accessed November 5, 2007.
  4. ^ Williams, Monty. "Conviction in Kelly Rape Case Ends Prosecutor's 11-Year Trial", The New York Times, June 15, 1997. Accessed November 5, 2007.
  5. ^ Glaberson, William. "Alex Kelly Avoids Trial In 2d Rape", The New York Times, December 24, 1998. Accessed November 5, 2007.
  6. ^ Yardley, William. Parole Bid Is Rejected for Rapist Who Fled U.S.", 'The New York Times, March 4, 2005. Accessed November 5, 2007.
  7. ^ Christoffersen, John. "Alex Kelly released from prison", 'Newsday, November 23, 2007. Accessed November 23, 2007.
  8. ^ "Crime in Connecticut: The Story of Alex Kelly", Internet Movie Database. Accessed November 8, 2007.

[edit] External links


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