Man who killed Boy Scout leader because he said he molested him starting at age eight is given five

A man who stabbed a Boy Scout leader to death because he said the man molested him when he was a child was sentenced to five years in prison in a plea deal. Clark Fredericks, 50, of Fredon, New Jersey, was sentenced to five years, with credit for the time he'd already been in prison

A man who stabbed a Boy Scout leader to death because he said the man molested him when he was a child was sentenced to five years in prison in a plea deal.

Clark Fredericks, 50, of Fredon, New Jersey, was sentenced to five years, with credit for the time he'd already been in prison counting towards his sentence. He will be eligible for parole in nine months.

Superior Court Judge Thomas Critchley in Newton imposed the minimum sentence for passion/provocation manslaughter, the second-degree crime to which Fredericks had pleaded guilty, according to NJ.com.

Fredericks had claimed he was sexually abused by Dennis Pegg, 68, a former Boy Scout leader and corrections officer, from the time he was eight until he was 12. Pegg was a family friend and Fredericks often spent time at his house.

Clark Fredericks appears in State Superior Judge Thomas J. Critchley's courtroom in Newton, New Jersey on Thursday - he was sentenced to five years in prison with credit for time served

Clark Fredericks appears in State Superior Judge Thomas J. Critchley's courtroom in Newton, New Jersey on Thursday - he was sentenced to five years in prison with credit for time served

Fredericks slumps down while listening to his niece, Kimberly Fredericks (above) address the court, calling him 'the best uncle and friend in the world. I couldn't ask for a better role model'

Fredericks slumps down while listening to his niece, Kimberly Fredericks (above) address the court, calling him 'the best uncle and friend in the world. I couldn't ask for a better role model'

Dennis Pegg, 68, was found stabbed to death in his New Jersey home in June 2012 Clark Fredericks is accused of brutally murdering a former scout leader he says molested him

Stabbed: New Jersey man Clark Fredericks (right) was charged with fatally stabbing a Boy Scout leader, Dennis Pegg, 68 (left) he says molested him when he was a child

Fredericks said he had never spoken about the abuse, testifying that the first time he mentioned it was the night in 2012 he was drinking and doing cocaine with friend Robert Reynolds and he confessed to him.

Reynolds reportedly said 'let's go get him' - meaning Pegg.

The two donned body armor in case gun-collector Pegg tried to defend himself. Then they traveled to his Stillwater home.

Reynolds is also accused of first degree murder for allegedly driving Frederick to the house.

There, Reynolds allegedly watched as Fredericks stabbed Pegg about 20 times, and slit his throat. Fredericks recounted in court that before he slit Pegg's throat, he said, 'It's not so fun raping little boys now.'

Scene: Pegg, an avid gun collector, was found on his living room floor with more than 20 stab wounds to his torso and his throat slit Fredericks' friend Robert Reynolds is also accused of first degree murder for allegedly driving Frederick to the home

Scene: Pegg, an avid gun collector, was found on his living room floor with more than 20 stab wounds to his torso and his throat slit. Fredericks' friend Robert Reynolds (right) is also accused of first degree murder for allegedly driving Frederick to the home

Pegg was a lifelong resident of Stillwater, New Jersey, and had been active not only in the Boy Scouts, but many police honor legions, the NRA, and historical societies. He had also served in the military during the Vietnam Era.

But while his obituary painted the 68-year-old as an upstanding citizen, Fredericks’ affidavit showed Pegg in a drastically different light.

Police say in an affidavit that Fredericks told them Pegg ‘got what was coming to him’ because he had been ‘a child molester for years,’ and had exploited his time as a scoutmaster in the 1970s to get closer to young boys.

In the weeks following the murder, authorities discovered child pornography on Pegg's computer as well as a box containing 'numerous Polaroid photographs of nude children and/or children involved in sexual acts.'

Additionally, another man Michael Funari, testified that Pegg had also abused him.

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There had also been complaints about Pegg in the past, said police, but 'people recanted' and charges were never filed.

The judge could have given Fredericks even less time, however, he declined, saying that murder is still not a way to solve problems.

Fredericks agreed, saying in court, 'I don't recommend that anyone follow in my steps.' He urged anyone who had been sexually abused to speak out.

Pegg's family called Fredericks a 'a self-appointed judge, jury and executioner' and said that he should have gone through the proper legal channels.

'You chose to savagely end his life with your unlawful action,' Pegg's family said in a statement. 'Ironically, you asked for justice only after you killed the person you say harmed you.'

It's unclear when Reynolds will stand trial or opt for a plea deal. 


 

 

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