WINTHROP – Former Winthrop Police Lieutenant James Feeley, who is he? charged with aggravated rape of a child, is scheduled to appear in court Monday for a change of plea hearing.
James Feeley change of plea hearing
Feeley was arrested in December 2023, charged with one count of aggravated rape of a child and seven counts of sexual assault and battery on a child under 14 years old.
During his initial arraignment, Feeley pleaded not guilty. A change of plea hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday morning in Suffolk Superior Court.
No additional details have been released about the possible change of plea.
A judge ordered Feeley held on $200,000 after his first arraignment. He was also ordered to wear a GPS device and surrender his weapons and passport. Prosecutors had unsuccessfully sought $500,000 bail.
James Feeley is attacked
Although details of the charges were not revealed after his arrest, prosecutors said Feeley confessed to Winthrop Police Chief Terrance Delahanty at a cemetery on Monday, Christmas Day.
Police said Delahanty believed Feeley was “in serious condition,” armed and suicidal. Feeley was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital and underwent a psychiatric evaluation before being charged.
The alleged victim in the case was treated at the hospital and told police that Feeley had been assaulting them for about a year.
Feeley was a veteran police officer who had been with the department for more than 20 years. Sources told the WBZ-TV I-Team that Feeley was also a church leader and former business owner in Winthrop.
