Crime & Safety
Judge Denies Burbine Castration Request
Accused child molester had asked judge to consider granting him 15-year sentence if he underwent castration procedure.
Written by William Laforme
Accused serial child molester John Burbine has reportedly had his castration request turned down by a judge.
Burbine was arrested last year and is facing dozens of charges connected to allegations that he sexually abused children, some of them just days old. At least one of Burbine's alleged victims is from Newton.
This week, he filed a motion asking to undergo a castration procedure in exchange for a sentence of 15 years. Otherwise, Burbine is facing life in prison based on the number and severity of the charges against him.
A report on the MyFoxBoston website noted that the judge had rejected Burbine’s request "without prejudice," meaning that it can potentially be brought up again by the defense.
Elsewhere, a report in the Boston Herald quoted Burbine’s defense attorney, Bill Barabino, as saying that the procedure would have cost about $1,800. The newspaper also noted that a trial date for Burbine is likely to be set after a Jan. 6 status conference.
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