Statement on a Federal Appeals Court Denial of Convicted Killer’s Sex-Change Operation

Yesterday I released the following statement regarding the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit denying a tax-payer funded sex-change operation for convicted wife killer Michelle Kosilek. The Senate Republican Caucus has previously filed legislation preventing such surgeries, and will file new legislation for the upcoming legislative session:

Boston- “The Federal Court of Appeals decision to deny convicted killer Michelle Kosilek gender reassignment surgery is an affirmation of fairness and justice. Allowing someone who has committed first degree murder to receive extraordinary surgery at best lacks commonsense, and at worst offends the interests of justice.

The Department of Corrections (DOC) has remained steadfast in its belief that the state should not be required to provide such surgery, and I commend the department for continuing to fight against this outrageous request. Had the unprecedented ruling by Judge Wolf been upheld to allow Michelle Kosilek’s surgery, not only the Commonwealth, but the country would have ventured down a dangerous path resulting in serious ramifications not yet identified.”

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Statement on the DOC’s Decision to Appeal Latest Kosilek Ruling

Today I released the following statement following reports that the Department of Corrections will appeal a 2-1 decision made by a panel of First Circuit of Appeals judges that ruled to uphold U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf’s 2012 ruling that the Department of Corrections were in violation of Michelle Kosilek’s constitutional rights by denying her gender reassignment surgery:

“The recent decision made by a panel of First Circuit Court of Appeals judges to uphold an earlier decision ordering the Department of Corrections to provide a gender reassignment surgery for a convicted killer is not only outrageous, but injudicious.  Providing extraordinary surgery for someone who has committed 1st degree murder isn’t a wise decision for state tax payers and certainly doesn’t serve the interests of justice in Massachusetts or a precedent for the rest of the country.

I applaud Governor Patrick and the Department of Corrections’ decision to appeal this ruling. It sets a bad precedent that will result in serious ramifications that go beyond just the borders of the Commonwealth.”

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On the Air with Fox 25

Last night I had the opportunity to speak with news anchor Maria Stephanos of the Fox 25 Evening News to discuss the Department of Corrections’ decision to appeal a U.S. District Court’s ruling requiring the DOC to provide gender-reassignment surgery to convicted killer Michelle Kosilek. To view my discussion with Maria, please play the posted video below. Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Recent Media Appearances

On Wednesday evening I had the opportunity to be a guest on NECN’s “Broadside” with host Jim Braude. I discussed with Jim and Attorney Edward Ryan the latest decision by a U.S. District Court that ruled in favor of convicted murderer Michelle Kosilek requiring the Department of Corrections to provide gender-reassignment surgery. To watch our lively discussion please play the posted video below.

Additionally, during yesterday’s Fox 25 Morning News, Anchor Shannon Mulaire and I discussed the issue further, and why the Department of Corrections needs to file an appeal to the decision. The video for yesterday’s segment is also posted below.

Please click here to read a letter that I sent to DOC Commissioner Luis Spencer with 54 of my colleagues in the legislature urging the commissioner to appeal the court’s decision.

 Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston