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| Frank Hebert |
07/19/2011
Man Says He Was Protecting Girl From Alleged Abuser
BOSTON - A wheelchair-bound Martha's Vineyard man is fighting to stay out of jail.
Frank Hebert, 57, is accused of striking an alleged pedophile with a bat inside a store earlier this year.
Even though child protection advocates are hailing Hebert as a hero, prosecutors aren't backing off on charges that could land him in jail for 10 years.
Hebert said he was trying to protect his granddaughter when he hit his girlfriend's son-in-law, [name withheld], with a bat in February. Hebert said the girl told him [name withheld], 28, had been assaulting the girl.
- So you should have called the police and let them handle it, instead of taking the law into your own hands.
"He had been molesting her," Hebert said.
Hebert called state police. He said they decided to have [name withheld] come to Hebert's store, thinking he was there to pick up the girl. When inside, Hebert was supposed to call police. During the time they were inside the store, Hebert confronted [name withheld].
"He turned white. After about two minutes, he said, 'OK, fine. I did it,'" Hebert said.
Hebert said [name withheld] tried to leave and a scuffle ensued.
"I hit him like a 2-year-old. I mean, I don't have any more power than that," Hebert said.
Hebert was charged with assault. [name withheld] said he would not testify against Hebert, but the Plymouth District Attorney’s Office refused to drop the case.
"If this is what they are after -- God help them," Hebert said.
