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Father guilty of raping daughters, holding family hostage

SALEM, Mass. - Patrick McMullen's wife and six children said he held them hostage for years in a converted nightclub behind an 8-foot double fence.

With dark cloth covering the windows, he raped his daughters, beat his wife and kept his family so isolated they didn't know how to turn on a shower before they finally fled in May 2001, family members said.

On Friday, McMullen, 41, of Salisbury, Mass., was convicted of charges including child rape and indecent assault, and sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.

Before the sentencing, McMullen's wife, Christine McMullen, told Essex Superior Court Judge Howard Whitehead of the lasting effects of her husband's abuse.

"By abusing the children as he did, the childhood of six children has been murdered," she said.

McMullen was silent when he stood to hear the verdicts. McMullen's attorney, Michael Phelan, said he would appeal.

In written statements or conversations with prosecutor Kathe Tuttman, McMullen's children expressed no regrets about watching their father go to prison.

"I think he should stay in prison forever," one child said.

"He died a long time ago," said a daughter. "An evil man took his place."

Christine McMullen testified she was severely beaten during their 17-year marriage. His oldest daughter, now 21, testified that McMullen raped her repeatedly between 1995 and 2001 and that some of the attacks were witnessed by her brothers and sisters. The children also testified their father beat them with a belt and 2 by 4. In May 2001, Christine McMullen gathered her children and fled, carrying only a sleeping bag, a school bag and copies of the Scriptures. She said her sons and daughters had no idea how to use a crosswalk or an escalator.

Patrick McMullen initially was charged with raping the oldest daughter, but more charges were filed in 2002 after the investigation revealed his other two daughters also had been sexually assaulted.

Jurors were released from service after reaching a verdict, but stayed to hear the sentencing.

"Hopefully, it gives hope to other families who are out there that they might be able to come forth," said juror Mike Barselou of Salem.

[Last modified February 20, 2005, 00:54:14]