Notorious child-abusing priest released from prison

A central figure in the Boston clergy sex abuse scandal left prison Friday after serving 12 years on a child rape conviction. Critics argue the state should have continued to hold the former priest under a law that allows civil commitment for people deemed sexually dangerous. Paul Shanley, 86, was accused of molesting and raping dozens of boys while he served as a “street priest” in the 1960s and ’70s. He was defrocked by the Vatican and convicted of the rape of a boy at a Newton, Mass., parish. The attorney representing Shanley’s former victims argued Shanley is likely to re-offend and should be hospitalized, not released to the public. But two experts hired by the state found he did not meet the criteria for further detention. Shanley’s attorney said he has served his time and is not dangerous. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday said he plans to review the standards used to determine who can be civilly committed. He said he knows people “were horribly affected and damaged by Paul Shanley.”