LaLonde Breaks Silence in Interview

BOSTON--Stephen LaLonde in a televised interview yesterday broke his seven-month silence over highly publicized allegations that his sexual abuse of his daughter forced his former wife to flee Massachusetts with the girl.

LaLonde, 37, in an interview broadcast on WCVB-TV yesterday evening, categorically denied charges by his former wife, Virginia LaLonde, that he sexually abused their 8-year-old daughter, Nicole.

He also blamed the court system for ignoring evidence in his defense and said he decided against making public statements about the case because of concern for his daughter and the "sympathy factor" he perceived for his ex-wife, who chose to be imprisoned in March rather than divulge Nicole's location.

"It comes down to my word against her word...and I think she's...had a big sympathy factor right from the beginning when she went to jail," LaLonde said in the interview.

LaLonde's attorney, Peter DiGangi, said LaLonde will not, as indicated in some reports, release state Department of Social Service documents in his defense today. LaLonde plans to meet with reporters tonight.

DiGangi said the DSS documents have been impounded by the court pending the sex abuse and child custody cases between LaLonde and his former wife.

Probate Court Judge Haskell Freedman on Friday lifted a order prohibiting public comment from parties involved in the LaLonde case. Freedman invoked the gag order September 18.

Mrs. LaLonde, 41, was released from prison last week after Nicole was found in North Carolina and returned to Massachusetts. Nicole was reportedly being hidden by a group involved with sheltering abused children.

Mrs. LaLonde fled Massachusetts with Nicole in mid-1986 after a court ruled her sex abuse charges were groundless. She returned to the state earlier this year and was sentenced to jail March 31 for her refusal to uncover Nicole's whereabouts.

In the television interview, LaLonde questioned the professional credentials of Baltimore forensic psychologist Dr. Dennis Harrison, who backed up the sexual assault allegations this summer. "His credentials are dirt," said LaLonde.

LaLonde also referred to a presence of a DSS report that he claims bolsters his defense.

DSS officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.

"I don't understand what would make her mother do this," said LaLonde in the interview.

"I don't ever think there was a presumption of innocence," said LaLonde in the interview. "I'm guilty until proven innocent."

LaLonde lives in Marblehead with his second wife and two stepdaughters, 11 and 17 years old.

Nicole is in a Cambridge hospital for physical and psychological evaluation, and Essex County District Attorney Kevin Burke said his office will review the findings in determining whether criminal complaints will be sought against LaLonde.

Mrs. LaLonde was charged with kidnapping, but Burke said he is re-evaluating that case.