The father of the victim of cannibalistic killer Albert Fentress expressed his heartfelt thanks yesterday to the 28-year-old man who has come forward to say he was molested by Fentress 22 years ago – testimony that could help scuttle Fentress’ bid for freedom.
The dramatic revelation Thursday in a Riverhead, L.I., courtroom stopped Fentress’ civil trial, which will decide if he gets released from a Long Island mental institution after 22 years in custody.
The surprise witness told authorities he called the Dutchess County DA for the first time in 1992, when he was 19, and reported the assault – but nothing was done, and the record of his allegations was misplaced.
He called authorities again Nov. 30 and gave a sworn statement in preparation for his testimony at Fentress’ trial. The five-year statute of limitations has long since passed on the alleged sex crimes, and Fentress, 59, does not face prosecution.
Prosecutors say Fentress assaulted the child in the months before he molested and murdered 18-year-old Paul Masters in Poughkeepsie in 1979.
“I want to thank him,” the murder victim’s dad, Burt Masters, said by phone from his home in San Jose, Calif. “We’re very grateful to him for making the sacrifice.”
“In 1979, I did hear rumors that there was a child, but nothing ever came of it,” said Masters, 72. He wrote a letter to a newspaper the following year appealing for information about the rumored assault – to no avail.
“I always thought there might be more stuff out there, but nobody came forward, and I had given up hope,” Masters said.
He said he feared Fentress would eventually win his battle to be released – until the unidentified man came forward.
“I’m glad it came out,” Masters said. “If it keeps him off the streets, that’s all I care about.”
Kim Darrow, Fentress’ defense lawyer, declined to comment.