Alex Kelly (rapist)

Alex Kelly (born May 8, 1967) is an American convicted rapist.

For other uses, see Alex Kelly (disambiguation).
Alex Kelly
Born (1967-05-08) May 8, 1967
Conviction(s)Rape (2 counts)
Criminal penalty16 years imprisonment

Early life

Alex Kelly is the son of Melanie Reisdorf Kelly, a travel agent, and Joe Kelly, a plumber.[1][2][3] He grew up in the Noroton Heights section of Darien, Connecticut.[1] In 1986, he graduated from Darien High School.[4]

His older brother, Christopher, died of a drug overdose in 1991 while Kelly was on the run.[1][5] His younger brother, Russell, died in 2004 in a car accident in Yellowstone National Park, while Kelly was incarcerated.[6]

Crimes

Kelly was charged with committing two rapes within a four-day period in Darien, Connecticut, in February 1986. He was charged first with the rape of a 16-year-old Stamford girl, and then of a teenager in Darien. In one of the rapes, according to the police, he encountered a girl who lived near him and offered her a ride home from a party. He was later also charged with drug possession and two counts of kidnapping.

Before his trial was due to begin on February 16, 1987, Kelly fled the United States and spent the next seven years on the run, mostly in Europe.[7] Kelly's parents allegedly supported him financially during this seven-year period, although they may have been unaware of his exact locations. Law enforcement authorities suspected that the parents had been in contact with their son and, on at least one occasion, raided the parents' house in an attempt to find evidence of Kelly's location or their assistance to him.[8]

In January 1995, the Connecticut State Police discovered photos in the Kelly home of Alex with his parents in Europe the previous year. His parents were charged with obstruction, after which Kelly surrendered in Switzerland. He was extradited to the United States on rape and kidnapping charges. Several lesser counts were excluded, as they were not specifically listed in the extradition treaty between the two nations.[9] While out on bail, Kelly was allowed by the court to take classes at Norwalk Community College.[10][11] Kelly faced two trials in 1997. After the first was declared a mistrial, the second resulted in his conviction for the first rape and a sentence of 16 years in prison.[12] He pleaded no contest to the second rape and was sentenced to an additional 16 years in prison (sentence to run concurrently with the 16-year sentence).[13]

In 2005, after having served eight years of his 16-year sentence, Kelly appeared before a Connecticut parole board; his bid for release was rejected.[14] At the hearing Kelly apologized many times saying he was "hypercompetitive" and self-centered, and that he has finally realized that the world is bigger than him.[14]

On November 24, 2007, Kelly was released from prison on good behavior. He is required to serve 10 years probation, perform 200 hours of community service, pay a $10,000 fine, and register with the Connecticut sex offender registry. Kelly has claimed that, while in prison, he earned a bachelor's degree in economics and third-world development.[15]

He has since worked as a skydiving instructor.[16] When his history was publicized, Kelly pulled his business from Harriman-and-West Airport in North Adams, Massachusetts.[17]

Portrayals in the media

Kelly's story was recounted in an episode of Dominick Dunne's Court TV series Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege, and Justice. Crime in Connecticut: The Story of Alex Kelly (also known as The Return of Alex Kelly), is based on Alex Kelly.[18] The Kelly case was also featured in an episode of A&E Network's series American Justice and featured on ABC's news magazine show, Turning Point, whose segment title was "Fugitive Son: The Hunt for Alex Kelly." Vanity Fair Confidential aired an episode entitled "The Fugitive Son" on January 23, 2017.

References
  1. Susan Cheever (27 April 1997). "Son of Darien". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  2. Bill Hewitt (4 November 1996). "Judgment Days". People. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  3. "Why Aren't Fugitive's Parents Arrested?". Hartford Courant. 10 April 1995. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  4. Lynne Tuohy (16 October 1996). "After More Than 10-year Wait, Woman Testifies In Rape Case". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  5. Bill Hewitt (20 February 1995). "The Flight of Alex Kelly". People. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  6. "Russell Kelly Obituary". legacy.com. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  7. Neuffer, Elizabeth. "Accused Rapist And His Flight Trouble Darien", The New York Times, August 27, 1987. Accessed November 5, 2007. "A year ago Alex Kelly -a former juvenile offender who became an honors student in high school and a top athlete here -was charged with the rapes of two teen-age girls."
  8. Judson, George. "From Ski Slopes of Europe to a Rape Trial?; Eight Years After Fleeing, an Ex-Darien Athlete Surrenders in Switzerland", The New York Times, January 31, 1995. Accessed November 5, 2007. "But the authorities' satisfaction at having him in custody is tempered by the length of time he avoided trial, the help he may have received from his parents and legal maneuvering now aimed at reducing his charges. Prosecutors and investigators refuse to comment on whether either of his parents, Joseph and Melanie Kelly, will be charged with hindering prosecution."
  9. "Switzerland to Return Fugitive in 1986 Rape-Kidnapping Cases", The New York Times, April 23, 1995. Accessed November 5, 2007.
  10. Fritsch, Jane (22 June 1997). "Anomaly in a Rape Case - Freedom for Alex Kelly - NYTimes.com". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  11. Williams, Monte (13 June 1997). "In Retrial, Alex Kelly Is Convicted Of Rape Committed 11 Years Ago". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  12. Williams, Monty. "Conviction in Kelly Rape Case Ends Prosecutor's 11-Year Trial", The New York Times, June 15, 1997. Accessed November 5, 2007.
  13. Glaberson, William. "Alex Kelly Avoids Trial In 2d Rape", The New York Times, December 24, 1998. Accessed November 5, 2007.
  14. Yardley, William. Parole Bid Is Rejected for Rapist Who Fled U.S., The New York Times, March 4, 2005. Accessed November 5, 2007.
  15. Christoffersen, John. "Alex Kelly released from prison", Newsday, November 23, 2007. Accessed November 23, 2007. Archived November 25, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  16. Eaton-Robb, Pat (2 August 2015). "1980s 'preppy rapist' Alex Kelly now a skydiving instructor". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  17. Landes, Josh (21 November 2018). "Ending Months Of Drama, Alex Kelly Leaves North Adams Airport". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  18. "Crime in Connecticut: The Story of Alex Kelly". IMDb. 16 March 1999. Retrieved 20 September 2014.


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