Somerville teen arraigned in Pittsfield District Court; dangerous hearing Friday

(From wire services reports)

A dangerous hearing for a Somerville teenager and member of the Somerville Varsity Soccer team will be held tomorrow in Pittsfield District Court.

Judge Philip Beattie continued bail at $100,00 cash or $1 million surety Tuesday on charges that Galileo Mondol, 17, one of three teenagers, who pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 10 charges, including aggravated rape, in connection with an alleged sexual assault  (with a broom handle) on a fellow member and assaulted two others at Camp Lenox in Otis last month.

The other two-both juveniles-were in juvenile court on Tuesday.

Initial reports of the alleged rape did not characterize the sex of the victims or indicate that the alleged tool was a broomstick.

Mondol and two 16-year-old male juveniles, all juniors at Somerville High School, are accused of assaulting three freshmen on Aug. 25.

Mondol’s attorney, William A. Korman of Boston, characterized the court’s decision to set high bail for his client as “absurd” and “punitive,” because his client has no previous criminal record or prior disciplinary issues. One of the victims told investigators that Mondol was not involved in the attack, according to Atty. Korman

Mondol is also charged with three counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, three counts of intimidation of a witness, two counts of assault with intent to rape a child under the age of 16, and one count of indecent assault and battery on a person who has attained 14 years of age.

The Berkshire District Attorney’s (DA) office alleged Mondol and the two co-defendants went to a cabin where freshmen were staying to “pick someone.” After three boys were chosen, the defendants sexually assaulted one with the broomstick.

The incident occurred on the weekend of Aug. 24-25 at Camp Lenox, where some 165 Somerville students, along with 20 adult supervisors, were participating in the preseason program. State police were notified subsequently of the alleged attack.

The DA’s office sought high bail for Mondol based on the seriousness of the allegations, his lack of ties to Berkshire County, and the potential penalties he faces.

Several of the charges filed against Mondol contain a maximum penalty of 10 years in state prison.

Meanwhile news crews from Albany, Boston and Springfield were at the courthouse along with cable news groups.

Otis is located in the eastern part of Berkshire County.

Posted by George C. Jordan III on September 5, 2013. Filed under News,State News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry