Worcester Police Chief Stands By Officers Alleged Of Coerced Confession

07:11

February 16, 2012

Worcester Police Sgt. Kevin Pageau, right, and Detective John Doherty, left, interrogate Nga Truong, 16, following the 2008 death of her baby boy. (WBUR screenshot)

The chief of the Worcester police department is standing by two detectives who in 2009 allegedly coerced a 16-year-old girl to confess to murdering her baby.

WBUR's David Boeri first reported the story in December, when a judge ruled that the circumstances around the confession were coercive, and has since repeatedly tried to speak to Worcester Police Chief Gary Gemme, who has not only supported his detective's work, but even placed one of them in a new job — in the Internal Affairs Department where he investigates complaints of police wrongdoing.

Gemme’s only statement on the case came in December — in writing — after WBUR's original broadcast of the story. On Wednesday, however, Boeri had an opportunity to speak with Gemme at a public meeting. He'll join Radio Boston to discuss their exchange, and update us with the latest on the reaction in Worcester to the alleged coerced confession.

Guest:

David Boeri, reporter, WBUR.

More from WBUR:

02/16/2012: Questions Remain In Coerced Worcester Confession
Full coverage: Anatomy Of A Bad Confession

This segment aired on February 16, 2012.