The Controversial Decisions Of Salem Judge Timothy Feeley

SALEM, MA -- When Salem Superior Court Judge Timothy Feeley disregarded a prosecutor's recommendation for jail time and set a convicted drug dealer free last week, it set off a firestorm of outrage. A group of Republican lawmakers filed legislation to have him removed from the bench. On Thursday, organizers will hold a rally outside of the court house and call for Feeley's ouster.

What follows is a look at some of the judge's more controversial decisions that have helped fuel his reputation as being soft on crime:

Manuel Soto-Vittini, May 2018

Feeley ignored a request by prosecutor's for a one- to three-year jail sentence because Soto-Vittini was not an addict and was selling drugs to support his family. "This was basically a money crime," Feely said as he sentenced Soto-Vittini to two years of probation. Feely also said he was worried a jail sentence would result in Soto-Vittini being deported.

Three years ago Soto-Vittini was arrested after Salem Police broke up and drug deal and found more than half an ounce of heroin hidden in a secret compartment in his car.

John Williams, March 2018

Feeley was one of two Massachusetts judges who lowered the bail for John Williams, 29. Williams fatally shot Cpl. Eugene Cole in Norridgewock, Maine, in April. He then allegedly stole Cole's cruiser and then stole from a Cumberland Farms. In March, Massachusetts State Police arrested Williams on firearms and other charges. While prosecutors requested bail of $10,000, Judge Michael Patten set bail at $7,500. Five days later, Feeley reduced it to $5,000 during a bail review hearing. Williams posted bail and was released on March 31. He was due back in court the day after he killed Cole.

Ian Kessel and Dalvin Andino, September 2017

While out on bail for armed robbery charges, the two men both violated conditions of their release. Kessel was arrested in two other states, while Andino allegedly intimidated a witness in the case. Over prosecutors' objections, Feeley set bail for Kessel at $5,000 and released the former Haverhill High School football star to the custody of his parents. Feeley ordered him to abide by a curfew and stay in Massachusetts. The only condition on Andino's release on $10,000 bail was to have no contact with the alleged victim in the case.

State Trooper Thomas Downs, November 2016

After Downs was convicted of the 2015 assault of his ex-girlfriend in Salisbury, prosecutors asked for a suspended, two-year sentence. Feeley instead sentenced Downs to two years probation and ordered him to complete a batterer's intervention program, undergo substance abuse evaluation and follow up treatment, and have no contact with the victim or witnesses in the case.

Daniel D. Beauvais, September 2016

Beauvais was arrested in June 2016 after the mother of a 12-year-old girl reported her daughter had reported multiple instances of abuse by Beauvais at his home. Beauvais allegedly told the girl he was applying medication to her body. At the time of his arrest, he had been investigated by the Department of Children and Families for allegation of inappropriate behavior between Beauvais and other children in 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2015.

While Salem District Court Judge Robert Brennan agreed that Beauvais posed a risk to his victim and other children if released, Feeley allowed his mother to post $100 bail in September 2016 as long as he agreed to wear a GPS monitoring anklet.

Jaime Ford, August 2015

Feeley oversaw two bail hearings for Ford, who was charged in an 80-count indictment for allegedly running scheme to defraud people with his contracting business. Charges in the indictment included charges of being a common and notorious thief, identity fraud, larceny, forgery, workers compensation and insurance fraud, as well as environmental violations. At the first bail hearing, Feeley cut Ford's bail from $750,000 to $7,500 after defense attorneys said that was all Ford's family could afford to pay.

Prosecutors requested a second bail hearing and asked Feeley to set bail at $250,000. They presented evidence from investigators that suggested Ford had paid his first bail with stolen money. Feeley, however, set bail at $15,000, saying he doesn't believe Ford has the financial resources to flee.

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).