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Mass. highest court reinstates rape charges against former Milton Academy teacher

Former Milton Academy teacher Reynold Buono pleaded not guilty in June 2018 to three counts of rape of a child and three counts of forcible rape of a child involving one student.

In January 2019, Reynold Buono leaves Norfolk County Superior Court after a judge dismissed child rape charges against the former Milton Academy teacher. The alleged crimes were committed 36 years ago. The charges were reinstated in March 2020. (Lane Turner / Boston Globe)

By Associated Press

March 28, 2020

BOSTON (AP) — The highest court in Massachusetts has reinstated some child rape charges against a former theater teacher at a prestigious private school.

Former Milton Academy teacher Reynold Buono pleaded not guilty in June 2018 to three counts of rape of a child and three counts of forcible rape of a child involving one student. The allegations date to the early 1980s. Buono, now in his mid-70s, was fired in 1987 and moved to Thailand.

A Superior Court judge dismissed the charges in January 2019 saying prosecutors failed to meet the evidentiary threshold required of cases that exceed the 27-year statute of limitations.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday reinstated two counts of forcible rape of a child and two counts of rape of a child.

“We conclude that the Commonwealth presented adequate corroborating evidence to meet the grand jury’s probable cause to indict standard,” the court wrote.

Messages were left with Buono’s attorney, Inga Bernstein.

Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey welcomed the ruling in a statement and said his office will now bring the case to a trial “to seek justice for his alleged victim.”

Buono’s alleged victim, a now 53-year-old Portsmouth, New Hampshire resident, told The Patriot Ledger he was pleased by the decision.