New Developments in LPS Seclusion Room Saga

Another family has come forward alleging a special needs student was left alone in time out rooms; DA’s office confirms involvement.

  A third Lexington family has come forward and asked that their case be included in a state investigation into the alleged mistreatment of special needs students within the Lexington Public Schools. Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office on Thursday confirmed the office was looking into a complaint associated with the seclusion room allegations, but could not comment about the specifics or who filed it. That confirmation came a day after Lexington Superintendent Paul Ash said the district filed a 51A with the state’s Department of Children and Families following public calls for an independent investigation into allegations made in an opinion piece published last weekend in the New York Times. In the OpEd, …

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Conkey Due Back in Court July 5, On Trial for Decades-Old Dempsey Murder

Craig Conkey, the convicted murder accused in the previously unsolved 1992 killing of Lexington resident Kathleen Dempsey, is due back in court next month.

A spokesperson for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office this week confirmed Craig Conkey, the man on trial for the 1992 murder of Lexington resident Kathleen Dempsey, is scheduled to be back in Middlesex Superior Court at 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 5. At Conkey’s last appearance in court, on March 30, he insisted he was competent and informed enough to make a guilty plea, and signed an affidavit confessing to the crime. Previously, he had entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment in January. Conkey is accused in the 1992 murder of Dempsey, 31, who authorities say was  stabbed to death in her basement apartment on Lexington's Ridge Road. Already serving a life sentence for the second-degree murder of another Lexington woman, Mary …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 23

Arraignment on murder charges, the selectmen discuss the capital budget, eating local at Nourish and more today in Lexington.

1. Conkey Arraignment Scheduled for Today: The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office on Friday announced the arraignment of Craig Conkey is scheduled for 9 a.m. this morning at Woburn Superior Court. Conkey, a convicted killer, is accused of first-degree murder in the previously unsolved 1992 killing of Lexington resident Kathleen Dempsey. Check Patch for an update later today. 2. BOS Takes Up Capital Budget: The Board of Selectmen is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. this evening at the Town Office Building and its agenda incldues discussing the School Committee's request for an April 2 special Town Meeting for the Estabrook School building project, as well as the fiscal 2013 capital budget. 3. All Local Dinner at Nourish: Working in conjunction…

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Arraignment Set for Craig Conkey, the Convicted Killer Charged in Decades Old Dempsey Murder

The Middlesex DA's office today announced the Superior Court arraignment in the case of Commonwealth vs. Craig Conkey, who is accused of first-degree murder in the previously unsolved 1992 killing of Lexington resident Kathleen Dempsey.

Convicted murderer Craig Conkey is scheduled to be arraigned at Woburn Superior Court Monday morning for the previously unsolved 1992 murder of Lexington resident Kathleen Dempsey. According to an announcement from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Conkey, who was indicted Dec. 21 for one count of first-degree murder, will be in court at 9 a.m. Jan. 23. Authorities allege that Conkey, who is currently incarcerated for the killing of another Lexington woman, entered Dempsey’s basement apartment on Aug. 23, 1992 looking to commit a burglary and set upon the woman who was asleep in her bed. “This was a horrific unspeakable act of violence against a 31-year-old woman who was beloved and had her whole life in front of her," Middlesex …

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Karate Coach Accused of Indecently Assaulting Child Back in Court Today

Thomas Donahue, 52, of Lexington, is charged with indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14, child enticement, reckless endangerment of a child and kidnapping.

An Arlington karate coach who confessed to indecently assaulting a 7-year-old girl at his studio is due back in court Thursday morning. Thomas Donahue, 52, of Lexington, is charged with indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14, child enticement, reckless endangerment of a child and kidnapping. He is the founder of T&P Martial Arts in Arlington, where authorities say the crime took place. On Thursday morning, he will appear for a pretrial conference at Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn. Donahue was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on Dec 1. He was first arrested on Aug. 25, arraigned in Cambridge District Court and released on $10,000 cash bail. He was indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury on Oct. 20. In court Aug. 26…

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Lexington Resident Indicted on Charges of Indecent Assault of Child

Thomas Donahue, 52, of Lexington, is the founder of T&P Martial Arts in Arlington, where authorities say the crime took place.

A Middlesex grand jury has indicted an Arlington karate coach on charges he indecently assaulted a young girl at his studio, officials said Monday. Thomas Donahue, 52, of Lexington, faces charges of indecent assault and battery on a person under 14 and enticement of a child, according to a release from the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. He is the founder of T&P Martial Arts in Arlington, where authorities say the crime took place. An arraignment date has not yet been set. Donahue was last in court on Wednesday, when he was scheduled for a probable cause hearing Dec. 5. Assistant District Attorney Deborah Bercovitch has said Donahue gave Arlington Police a “full confession” of the crime. Donahue, who was released after posting $10,…

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Lexington Man Charged with Indecently Assaulting Child

Thomas Donahue, a 52-year-old karate instructor in Arlington, was arrested early Thursday afternoon.

An Arlington-based karate coach was arrested Thursday, Aug. 25, on charges that he indecently assaulted one of his students, officials said. Thomas Donahue, 52, of Lexington, was arrested by the Arlington and Lexington police departments yesterday afternoon after a traffic stop near the split between the two towns. According to a statement from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Donahue coached karate to the victim, who was 7-years old at the time. Donahue allegedly asked the victim to stay and come to his office after class to help him remove his leg brace. DA's Office spokesperson Cara O'Brien said Donahue taught at T&P Martial Arts. According to Arlington Patch's business directory, Donahue is the founder of the school.  A call …

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