Raymond Guay understands why people are afraid of him. But, he says, he will spend his life proving he has changed.
"I'm afraid of that guy in the paper," he said. "You're dealing with 35 years ago. I know who I am today."
Guay has been the center of a firestorm since he arrived in Chichester nine days ago, taken in by a local pastor after protest drove him from Manchester and Concord. After spending much of his life in prison for the 1972 murder of a Nashua boy and crimes including tying up a Concord couple in their home for three days during a prison escape, Guay was released in February with court orders to spend his parole in New Hampshire.
Sitting yesterday in the kitchen of the Rev. David Pinckney, Guay said his past has made the state a tough place to live. Both the governor and attorney general have asked probation officials to move him, as have local officials in any town he's considered.
But Guay, 60, insists a conversion to Christianity in 1993 made him a different man. Given time, he said, he will make this apparent.
"There's nothing I can do to put back what I've taken," he said. "But I can do the best I can with what I have to work with for the rest of my life, and I will do that."
When Pinckney and his wife invited Guay to live with them for up to 60 days, they set rules including the constant presence of an adult in the home and notifying police whenever he crosses the town line. Neighbors made clear at the selectmen's meeting Tuesday and during small nightly gatherings that they want round-the-clock
supervision as well.
That's why, Guay said, he went to court this week to have an electronic monitoring bracelet written into his sentence. He is now required to wear it on his ankle until he moves from Durgin Road, Pinckney said.
Gunshots have punctuated the air this week, a sound residents at the Tuesday selectmen's meeting said is normal on the country road. Pinckney believes the shots were fired to send a message, but Guay said he only hoped the shooters did not frighten the family. After witnessing fights in prisons across America, he said, he's not intimidated.
"It's a battlefield," he said. "You see a lot of people die and a lot of people hurt. If anything, prison tempers you."
Guay first entered that fray at 15, when he was sentenced for assault with intent to kill after a bike shop robbery gone bad. To Pinckney, Guay's placement in state prison at such a young age was a clear instance of system failure.
"Talk about child abuse," said Pinckney, his voice rising. "Convicting a 15-year-old and putting him in with the general population and double murderers."
Clear divide
Both Guay and Pinckney see a clear divide in Guay's life: before his conversion and after. It's a change they said cannot be fully described to a nonbeliever, though Pinckney said his own conversion at 4 years of age was as genuine as Guay's 16 years ago.
"I was walking a highway of sin in those days," Guay said of his life before 1993.
It's a phrase he used more than once, describing a time he said is public knowledge after the recent media blitz. In February 1973, Guay killed a 12-year-old Nashua boy, John Lindovski Jr., who was found a month later in Hollis woods. Guay was sentenced to serve up to 25 years, but nine years later he threw a ladder up the wall of the Concord state prison and escaped.
After hiding for days from the dogs and helicopters and officers, he wandered into the Clinton Street garden of an elderly couple, he said. When the Beanes arrived home one day, he said, he was waiting in their living room with a gun, looking "like a maniac."
It was the reaction of the wife, a petite woman named Emily, that would later inspire his faith, he said.
"She said, 'I know who you are,' and there was delight in her voice," Guay said. "At first I thought she was a nut. There's got to be something wrong with this woman. (next page »)
BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) -- A New Hampshire judge has cleared…
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Comments
Dear Mental Health...
By Anonymous - 03/30/2009 - 3:00 pmIsn't it interesting to consider that the common sense and sound mind that God gave us were used to crucify Jesus?
Some people do not interpret the pastor's actions as self-serving at all, but view him as trying to do what's right and consistent with his beliefs.
Why do you personally interpret this man in a negative way, and why do you use your "professional skills" to cast public doubt and suspicion on another person's motives?
You might consider whether or not your post displays antagonism towards people, mistrust, leveraging of your professional status to advance your personal opinion, fear, and suspicion. (If it had been written by someone else, of course.)
In reply to the credentials you have posted here: do you believe that faith is a supernatural gift from God or is it a schema change therapy?
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Guay - I see both sides
By Anonymous - 03/28/2009 - 6:44 pmLives can be powerfully changed through Jesus Christ, but after one finds Christ, there can still be a lot of sin as well that can be hard to overcome. I don't agree that 'once a pedophile, always a pedophile,' because it IS possible to change, but we don't know the mysteries of the heart - we don't have the proof. People are going to be wary. That's just the way it is.
I wish the best for Mr. Guay, and that his redemption would abound, but I sympathize with the people. They have seen those who profess Christ do terrible things while living a double life. I don't expect them to believe that his life is going to necessarily be different.
I don't want to see Mr. Guay be condemned to a hopeless dead end. At the same time I don't expect people to see beyond what they are able.
I don't know if this moving him in was such a good idea.
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HALFWAY HOUSE
By Anonymous - 03/26/2009 - 5:28 pmguay should serve his PROBATION IN A HALFWAY HOUSE NOT IN THE SAME NEIBOORHOOD WITH 50 KIDS. i live near him m and went outside all the time not anymore im scared for my life.
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You're story, Mr. Guay, reminds me of this bible story.
By Anonymous - 03/24/2009 - 3:50 pmto vote
Mr. Guay
By Anonymous - 03/23/2009 - 7:44 pmRaymond Gauy, God bless you. i hope you realize that there are plenty of people out there who aren't blinded by fear. They stand by you as christians should. :)
God bless
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Yo almostvet,
By BillFromDover - 03/23/2009 - 1:09 pm----
"You: People" are typical Obama supporters who hate Evangelical Christians and right wing political, conservative Republicans. "You People" are folks that put themselves ahead of God and our Country."
"This is a great time for the left wing to attack and bash the right."
----
People fear for the safety of their children, and you call it bashing the right? This is a new all-time low - especially from you.
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"This is a great time for the left wing to attack and bash the r
By Chimp Refuge - 03/23/2009 - 12:55 pmThat's right, Armyvet, this is all about partisan politics, not about possible safety issues for people living in Guay's vicinity or anything like that.
A broken record offers ten times the melody and variety of your stuttering, grating refrain.
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PS
By Pat - 03/22/2009 - 11:49 pmFor the record I have been a born again Christian for the majority of my 50 years of life but I still would never let an animal who preys on young children anywhere near my children or anyone elses child for that matter.
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Re: Army Vet
By Pat - 03/22/2009 - 11:45 pmWhat gave you the idea that I am left wing? Do you know me personally? NO you don't so you don't have a clue as to wether or not I am left or right wing. Furthermore the issue has NOTHING to do with a person's polital beliefs, it's about a child murderer being set loose in society and being allowed to live in a home where 5 children also reside and dozens more that live in the area.
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I agree..
By Anonymous - 03/22/2009 - 7:51 pmI agree Sadie, and that was my point. There is no evidence of change and just because someone professes to know Jesus, doesn't mean I'm going to automatically trust him. I want to see the evidence...call me Thomas. And Mr. Army Vet, I do appreciate your service to this country. But, I want you to know that I did not vote for Obama, I am conservative, but I'm not going to let common sense go out the window, just because someone said they found Jesus.
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In response to average amican
By Anonymous - 03/22/2009 - 7:31 pmsadie
By average american on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 18:31
20090322/FRONTPAGE/903220371
903220371
article_title:
United by belief
article_pubdate:
20090322
thats typical lynch mob mentality, just because someone else said it, it must be true. fact is he wasn't charged because there was no evidence to suggest otherwise
I believe Sadie is correct because it isn't just that someone said it
if you read what the attorney general who found him at that time said it wasn't the first time Raymond had done this, he had previously done it to a 15 year old boy in the same location prior to killing 12 year old John.
He was half naked when they found him only in his underpants, what do you think happened? He did not get charged as it was quoted from his "John's" mom because back in those days they were trying to spare the victim's family of details.
Your talking back in the 70's so I'm sure that has something to it. He may not have been charged, but they strongly felt and had been saying all along in every statement that he had
They said the records showed.......Aug 23,1968 Guay attempted to perpetrate unnatural sexual acts on a 15 year old boy in the same location that he later killed 12 year John Lindovski.
In the 1968 incident Guay threatened the boy with a fire arm, chased him through the same woods and placed a rock onhis head threatening to smash his skull in.
I believe most people strongly feel this indeed did take place. Did they charge him with that, I don't believe so because of the victim's family. I think you have to keep in mind the time difference with the laws is what the problem is here.
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sadie
By average american - 03/22/2009 - 6:31 pmthats typical lynch mob mentality, just because someone else said it, it must be true. fact is he wasn't charged because there was no evidence to suggest otherwise
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Anonymous on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 07:30
By armyvet - 03/22/2009 - 5:37 pm"You: People" are typical Obama supporters who hate Evangelical Christians and right wing political, conservative Republicans. "You People" are folks that put themselves ahead of God and our Country.
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I am a Christian, a mental health professional and a realist!
By Anonymous - 03/22/2009 - 4:06 pmAs a Christian, I believe that God can change hearts. As a mental health professional, I know that repeat offenders like Mr. Guay are antisocial, clever and opportunistic. As a realist, I know that they rarely change. Now, I believe that God can take a man like Mr. Guay , cleanse and heal him. I have total faith in God's ability to do so, but I don't have faith in Mr. Guay! Where's there fruit? Where's the evidence that you have changed Mr. Guay? Other than your lip service? Reality is that you have been in the system so long, that you have not had an opportunity to prove yourself. Unfortunately as a member of this small, rural, Chichester community, I do not want you proving yourself or failing to do so here! I can forgive you, but I know enough about human nature and pathology, not to let you put innocent people at risk. Pastor Pinckney, you should be ashamed of yourself, for putting this man over the safety of your family, neighbors and the tranquility of your community. The Bible gives a specific warning to those who harm children. There is also a warning to those like yourself, who are called to be teachers.You have single handedly destroyed the testimony of local Christians to a whole town of nonbelievers! Jesus called us to be forgiving and loving, but not to be fools!! He gave us a sound mind, common sense and discernment for a reason. Please use yours. Also, I would suggest that you examine your own motives here. I suspect that they are more self serving than benevolent!!
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Responding to the average american
By Sadie - 03/22/2009 - 11:24 amActually you don't know, cause if you check the facts of this particular case you would see why people are talking about rape. It's just he wasn't charged for it back in the 70's .....
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And now...
By Anonymous - 03/22/2009 - 10:39 amThis guy made his choice in life when he murdered a little boy three decades ago and it's incredible that he somehow avoided a sentence of life without parole. But today he's free and has once again become societys problem. The 'born again' Christian routine might fit better if he had been an okay guy since the original crime, but he hasn't -- he escaped and kidnapped people in the process. Yeah, a whole bunch of guys find God or Allah after sitting behind bars for fifteen years, might as well cuz there sure nothing else to do, but give 'em some freedom and a bottle of whiskey and all that goes right out the window real fast.
What he appear to ignore is the concept that most people DON'T CARE whether he's saved or redeemed or improved -- most folks just don't want him around under any circumstances. All that forgive and forget stuff from the Bible sounds good in theory, but there's no forgiveness to be found in the towns where people knew that boy or his family.
So he can spend his days in hiding with the Good Reverend, at least temporarily, but there's no job or welcome for him outside of that home. There will be no opportunity to show what a changed man he is because nobody wants him around. He'd have been far better of staying in the prison system for the remainder of his life.
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Child abuse?????
By Anonymous - 03/22/2009 - 9:58 am"To Pinckney, Guay's placement in state prison at such a young age was a clear instance of system failure. "
"Talk about child abuse," said Pinckney, his voice rising. "Convicting a 15-year-old and putting him in with the general population and double murderers."
Pinkney should realy just stop talking to the press because the more he says the more he makes imself and his church look like idiots. Child abuse toward Guay because the state locked up an arsonist, sexual predator, attempted murderer in state prison???? The only child abuse in my mind was letting this guy out so he could kill some poor child. This man should have never been let out then and should not be out now. as to the pastor sayinig "death is not the worst of all things". Well I wonder if he would still talk that way if it was his family member who was raped (i know not "conviced" of this) and killed.
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Dont trust this Pedophile
By Anonymous - 03/22/2009 - 8:31 amThis story reminds me of a story that happened in Florida. This man's brother, a convicted pedophile, allowed him to take his 2 year old son to the beach. This kid was so torn by the time he went to ER, that the hospital was doubtful that he was going to live. Their response to what he did to his boy was,"we new he was a pedophile...but we did not think he would do that to our son"!
Ray why dont you take these kids out for a stroll once the heat it off you.
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pat
By average american - 03/22/2009 - 8:26 amwhere did you get RAPE from. do you actually know what this is all about?
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Once a Pedophile, always a.............
By Anonymous - 03/22/2009 - 8:05 amI bet 90% of those serving 30 years or more find God, too bad its not 100%. The fact that Guay did find God should not be rewarded, it is done for self-serving purposes and is not done to further one in the community. I don't know what Rev. Picnkney is thinking, he either has a soft head, a soft heart or both. I KNOW Guay can shout all he wants proclaiming he is a changed man, I am not naive or gullable enough to believe it.
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God bless you, Mr. Guay.
By MrsChad - 03/22/2009 - 7:34 amMy prayers are with you and I ask Him to use you in mighty ways that others in jail will have the opportunity to turn their lives around as you have.
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Army Vet
By Anonymous - 03/22/2009 - 7:30 amWho are "you people"? I thought you people were you people. You know, the ones with blinders on. Don't be so naive.
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Job Hunting!!!
By Anonymous - 03/22/2009 - 6:49 amWhen Guay gets a job, please let us know where. I have been looking for a job for 2 months , I have a clean record and a College Degree. So, if Mr. Guay will be able to get a job with his backround, I would like to know what Company it is so I may get a job as well..
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TIME
By Dick Pender - 03/22/2009 - 6:25 amTime is the measure of all things, Past. Present and Future.
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Fear Pat
By armyvet - 03/22/2009 - 6:13 amComments by fear mongers. Do you have any sex registered sex offenders living near you? I have four withing one mile of my home. If it works our for Rev. Pinckney will you post comments congratulating him for his actions of housing a save person in his home. Of course not. This is a great time for the left wing to attack and bash the right. Love, Peace, Unite isn't this what you people always preach. If so, why are you not doing it?
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Very well put Pat
By Sadie - 03/22/2009 - 3:32 amAnd I think many will agree.
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Hmm.....
By Anonymous - 03/22/2009 - 2:49 am(Guay first entered that fray at 15, when he was sentenced for assault with intent to kill)
Mr. Guay, can I ask you how come you forgot to add why you had ARSON charges, and what you did to the 15 YEAR OLD BOY in the same location you murdered 12 John Lindowski?
( I was walking a highway of sin in those days) I think you forgot, you wern't walking the highway of sin you were driving Mr. Guay, and it was John Lindovski that was walking and the highway was called Henri burke highway.
(She said, 'I know who you are,' and there was DELIGHT in her voice," Guay said. "At first I thought she was a nut. There's got to be something wrong with this woman.)
Okay so you thought she was excited to have you over for dinner or something? If she was so kind to you and made you dinner while she was so excited to see you visiting, why did you tie her up along with her elderly husband while you slept in their bed, and made yourself at home before stealing their car and guns?
("I'm afraid of that guy in the paper," he said) Yes you said this on WMUR the other night. You forgot to add something else you earlier said but never explained. It was a comment you made 6 months ago to the Manchester Union leader when you were first released from prison. You were comparing yourself with a man named Howard Long who you said was put to death in 1939 after he was convicted of molesting and beating a 10 year old boy to death, which you felt if the murder of the young child you took had then taken place back in 1939 you would of been put to death. You had also commented at that time "It's still a struggle between the spirit and the flesh EVERY DAY. But that's my base today and that's my strength" Why is it such a struggle for you between your spirit and your flesh?
(Guay declined to talk further of his conversion, saying only that he was blessed. He said he was once asked by a state newspaper to pose for a photograph reading the Bible.)
Rev. David - Maybe being a Rev maybe it would be nice to see one statement at least that in this article from both you or Mr. Guay showing some kind of sorrow for the loss of this child John Lindovski his family has suffered. Not one word yet has been said as to this little boy who lost his life in such a brutal way. But Rev David if you really want to help Mr. Guay, and I'm not quit convinced prison is where this man should be, but he does need help and I believe you know that. Don't put other's at risk.
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Even Jesus Has His Judas
By Pat - 03/22/2009 - 2:36 amPinckney what are you going to say to the parents of Chichester children the day YOUR Judas (Guay) betrays your trust and rapes and or kills one of the kids in your neighborhood? When that day arrives, (and sooner or later it WILL arrive) I hope both of you are thrown in jail for life because as far as I am concerned, your bringing him here where children abound, is enabeling him to easy access and that makes you equally responsible. Remember leopards don't change their spots. Once a pedofile murderer always one.
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I can't help it....lol....I'm cracking up laughing here....who's
By Anonymous - 03/22/2009 - 1:38 amGuay declined to talk further of his conversion, saying only that he was blessed. He said he was once asked by a state newspaper to pose for a photograph reading the Bible.
If the above doesn't say it all....lol....the only state paper if any was the state hospital that he escaped from 2 weeks before taking a child's life. He needs help......and not with a church...he needs a head doctor. Maybe it would be more helpful putting him back in the very same state hospital he was in right before killing this child.
Be serious!
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