Jack Powell is the director of the Haven House Catholic shelter for homeless girls, as well as the rapist of girls at the shelter, who are kicked out to be left to die and disappear on the streets if the girls don't abide by his rules.
History[]
Powell would isolate girls at his shelter and bribe them with less strenuous and disgusting chores as part of their rehab, by clerking in his office. Powell would use this to repeatedly rape the girls, presenting them with forms he put their names on warranting their rejection by the house if he was reported. One of the women, Pat Morrill, got pregnant with a son, so Powell would keep paying for her silence after she gave birth and married, never telling her husband he wasn't her baby's father.
Powell next raped Maria Barragon, but Sister Bettina, one of the most beloved and progressive nuns, noticed Maria's changed in chores and obviously inquired about it. Fearing Powell would be discovered, and Maria would be kicked out into the street, she took a chance to silence Sister Bettina when she saw her scrub off Maggie Corson after she came to the shelter drunk, which would've gotten her kicked out on the spot. Maria lied to Maggie that Sister Bettina molested her, so Maggie fled and later nearly killed herself with a gun she stole.
When Maggie's report was filed, Maria backed her up when detectives spoke to her, even saying Sister Bettina harassed and groped Maria too. When it was revealed, Maggie blacked out and it was only Maria's account on the table, Maria admitted she lied after resistance against the detectives to protect herself. Powell was reported, and he was charged with first-degree rape. Pat wouldn't come forward to testify to protect herself and her family.
The prosecution was obligated to argue a burden of proof demonstrating the fear and threat Maria was raped under. Powell lied he was the kindest man to Maria, and she came onto him, but the prosecution listed a history of eighteen girls who were removed from the shelter and either died, were killed, or went missing, causes ranging from AIDS to drug overdoses to one gang-rape and stabbing murder.
Powell was found guilty of first-degree rape, and the presiding judge decided his prepared power of nullification over the jury's verdict not be exercised, as the burden of proof was met. After Powell's imprisonment, there was fear he'd succeed an appeal, but also hope the law would answer to the crime in all legitimacy. (L&O: "Sisters of Mercy")
Known Victims[]
- Eighteen runaway girls (all died and disappeared after Powell evicted them):
- Rosa Valdez (died of AIDS)
- Alberta Gaines (died from a drug overdose)
- Unnamed girl (died from exposure)
- Marjorie White (gang-raped and stabbed twelve times by six gangsters)
- Two unnamed girls (both died from AIDS)
- Four unnamed girls (all died from drug overdoses)
- Unnamed girl (murdered by an unnamed killer(s))
- Seven unnamed girls (all died from unknown causes)
- Pat Morrill (repeatedly groped, raped, and impregnated)
- Maria Barragon (repeatedly groped and raped)