[Note: Friends of Justice is a personal blog. I speak only for myself.]
Dear Friend of Justice,
I am saddened to inform you that Mary Halsey, wife of Robert Halsey has died.
Bob Halsey was a school bus driver, who was falsely accused and wrongfully imprisoned by the same Berkshire County crew who railroaded Bernard Baran. His judge was Baran’s unethical prosecutor, Daniel Ford.
You can read about Bob’s case here: http://members.shaw.ca/imaginarycrimes/halsey.htm
I met Mary Halsey only twice. Early in our fight to free Bernard Baran, Carol Weissbrod and I visited her in her home. She and Bob were preparing for retirement. Then their lives were destroyed by the sexual hysteria that has wreaked so much havoc here in Massachusetts and elsewhere. And which has benefited so many powerful Massachusetts politicians, such as Attorney General Martha Coakley.
I met Mary again at a party celebrating Bruce Clairmont’s parole. During most of that party, Baran’s mother, Bertha, sat next to Mary, holding her hand. The two women quietly consoled each other for the terrible suffering they shared.
Not long after that, Mary’s health took a turn for the worse. She lost almost all of her eyesight and could no longer live alone. She could no longer visit Bob in prison. She spent the rest of her days in nursing homes.
Daniel Ford still sits as a Superior Court judge. In Berkshire County, he is considered a pillar of the community.
I waited over a week to post this news. I wanted to make sure that Bob had been informed before sending him a sympathy card.
If you wish also to send him a card, the address is:
Robert C. Halsey
W-55045
Bridgewater State Hospital
20 Administration Road
Bridgewater MA 02324
-Bob Chatelle
Mary Halsey
Mary Jane Halsey 1933-2012 LANESBOROUGH Mary Jane Halsey, 78, a longtime resident of Lanesborough, died Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at Hillcrest Commons. Born in Pittsfield on August 9, 1933, the daughter of Roscoe B. and Helen Bartels Losaw, she was educated in Lanesborough schools. Mrs. Halsey worked as a housekeeper in private residences for twenty five years. She was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Mrs. Halsey was also a member of the Lanesborough Ambulance Association. She enjoyed crafts and rock gardening. She is survived by her husband, Robert Halsey. Mrs. Halsey also leaves a daughter, Lorraine M. Halsey of Castleton, N.Y.; two brothers, Howard R. Losaw of Lee and Lawrence L. Losaw of Clinton, North Carolina; a sister, Laura V. Sheldon of Longmeadow; three sisters-in-law, Madeline Miller, Patricia Losaw, and Arlene Losaw; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by three brothers, Sonny, George, and William Losaw. FUNERAL NOTICE: A memorial service for Mary Jane Halsey will be held at a later date at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mrs. Halsey may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church or to HospiceCare in The Berkshires in care of DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield.
