So many failures in the 'system'
Grammy-nominated musician struck, killed by New England
woman with more than 100 arrests, police say
By Frank O'Laughlin, Boston 25 News
December 09, 2025 at 10:21 am EST
Grammy-nominated musician struck, killed by New England
woman with more than 100 arrests, police say
HOPKINTON, R.I. — A Grammy-nominated musician was struck and
killed over the weekend by a New England woman with more than 100 prior arrests
and dozens of traffic violations, authorities said.
Roderick “Rory” MacLeod, a member of the Rhode Island Music
Hall of Fame and former bassist in the acclaimed band Roomful of Blues, was
walking his dogs in the area of 42 Spring Street in Hopkinton, Rhode Island’s
Hope Valley village on Saturday morning, when he was struck by the driver of a
Jeep SUV, who also barreled into two telephone poles, the Hopkinton Police
Department announced in a news release.
MacLeod, 70, of the nearby town of Richmond, was rushed to
Rhode Island Hospital, where he died from his injuries, according to police.
“It is with great sadness that the Board of Directors of the
Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame notes the passing of 2012 inductee Rory
MacLeod,” the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame wrote in a Facebook post.
“MacLeod had become a guiding light in the roots music community as a performer
and educator.”
The driver involved in the deadly wreck, 41-year-old Shannon
N. Godbout, of Hopkinton, was allegedly found in possession of drugs and drug
packaging materials. She was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment,
where she remained under police guard as of Monday.
Investigators said Godbout has a lengthy criminal history
that includes more than 100 arrests, with eight of them from the Hopkinton
Police Department, in addition to 82 court warrants and 40 traffic citations.
screeeech... * sounds of locked up tires on pavement*
Go read that last paragraph again, and let that sink in.
Godbout is now facing charges including driving to endanger
resulting in death, possession of drugs, and intent to distribute.
Godbout will be called to appear before a Justice of the
Peace at a later date and presented to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s
Office as a criminal violator for past charges for which she is currently on
suspended sentences or probation, according to police.
MacLeod played on the Roomful of Blues’ Grammy-nominated
1988 album, “Glazed,” a collaboration with legendary New Orleans bluesman Earl
King.
In addition to his time as bassist with Roomful of Blues,
MacLeod enjoyed a career of more than 50 years in a wide variety of settings,
including his work as the original bassist for the first solo outings of Duke
Robillard, extensive recording credits with Paul Geremia, and a member and
producer of Jack Smith & The Rockabilly Planet, the Rhode Island Music Hall
of Fame noted.
MacLeod also released a single in 1993 and an album in 1995
as a solo artist, while also teaching guitar, banjo, and upright bass over the
years.
The Roomful of Blues shared a heartfelt statement on
MacLeod‘s passing.
“Roomful of Blues would like to extend our deepest
condolences to Rory Macleod’s family, friends, and all of his fans. We would
like to acknowledge his diverse musical contributions, as well as being a
wonderful and gentle soul. There are no words for such an immense loss. RIP,
dear friend,” the band wrote.
Police said that additional charges may be brought against
Godbout as further evidence is gathered.
An investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
Well, at least she’s okay and will soon be in a position to kill again.
ReplyDeleteI would expect nothing less from Rhode Island.
DeleteIf there was justice, three felonies and you get taken behind the jail and shot dead.
ReplyDeleteI still prefer (in circumstances like this) execution by guillotine in full public view; the charges read aloud to all asembled prior to the dropping of the blade.
DeleteI would consider it a very reasonable way of dealing with "our drug problem."
The guillotine is graphic enough, but is quick and done from the audience' perspective. Hanging, however, is a more lengthy, dramatic, and viewable from 360⁰. The problem, though, is so many people that insist criminals can be rehabilitated, or the courts cannot be trusted to conduct fair and accurate trials.
DeleteWhatever became of the "3 strikes" policy? Some people can rehabilitate, I've seen it. Some have been wrongfully convicted, not arguing that. Pedophiles, psycho/sociopath, and formative years criminals cannot rehabilitate. Even after physical removal of genitalia, pedos re-offend.
Put liability on the judges that persist to release threats into society, and make it a capital offense with no more than 1 year delay when someone has their 5th separate felony conviction.
If there was any justice, the judges, DAs and defense attorneys who all conspired to keep this woman on the streets would be joining her behind the jail as "guests" of the same firing squad. Over 100 arrests, 82 warrants and 40 traffic citations? Maybe throw in some of the cops. Any that didn't run her in on contact are also accessories.
DeleteGlad you are powerless.
DeleteNot glad pacifists like you walk among the defenders of this great country.
DeleteIf it was one of your loved ones, you'd worry about the driver didn't have a good childhood....fu
I used to be 100% pro capital punishment. Then I realized that Nancy Pelosi would have gleefully executed everyone of the J6 defendants. I no longer trust the government with that kind of power.
DeleteWhat?
ReplyDeleteShe killed somebody, but she still votes?
Let her go.
THis is what happens when you get the right attorney...I've seen it with some of the drunk drivers around here....
ReplyDeleteIt oughta be, as a bove, three strikes yer out.
Jail time if caught again.
Hard prison time the time after that.
What happened to his dogs?
Nope, depends on the judge
DeleteI read elsewhere that his dog(s) ran back to his house. They were OK.
DeleteUnbelievably sad.
ReplyDeleteHere's an example of the Grammy nominated album; great band to see live.
RIP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmTW0kt2Jsg&list=PLOFsCPXqLYfrYmf_Mv4OYsfIPoutmx0-H&index=7
try to not look like a blobfish in your mug shot
ReplyDeleteI don't even need to read the article to see it isn't anything good.
ReplyDeleteNow I read the article. She's probably a Democrat being it's Rhode Island so all's OK in the world. It was Trump's fault.
ReplyDeleteYaKnow, every time I screwed up I got sufficient pain and loss to inspire me to avoid dealing with the system. Never served a day, but the process was gruelling and expensive enough to point me in better directions. How do so many people get so many chances? This lowlife POS bitch should have been rotting away years ago.
ReplyDeleteI can't understand why there aren't enough citizens in Rhode Island to either change, or forego their justice system. Such criminals are best taken care of in any manner that's expedient.
ReplyDeleteThey're ALL far left liberal commies in RI to go along with one of the most corrupt political and judicial systems in the lower 48.
DeleteNemo
I remember seeing "Roomful of Blues" many years ago, so sad. CT, RI, NY, VT, ME and MA have catch and release with no consequences, hence we are reading this sad story of Mr. MacLeod's passing.
ReplyDeleteThe penalty for a crime should escalate with each repeat of the offense. That dangerous skank would have reached the incarceration stage a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteDepartment of Corrections is no longer any incentive to stay out of trouble. Hasn't been for 30 years. Prison is simply warehousing those that society wants "away". The convict culture teaches their population how to use the system, and the administrators of the system are only concerned with making their wage and career.
ReplyDeleteUntil there are major changes regarding the utility of prisons, and protecting society from incorrigible types, nothing will improve.
"Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent."
ReplyDeleteAdam Smith
Maybe her community service should be scrubbing the floors at a crash test facility during testing hours...
ReplyDeleteHi Irish!!!,
ReplyDeletePeople mention the gruesom death for the perp by Guillotine and Hanging.....
Well, let's go watch "A Clockwork Orange" and subject the perp to that ordeal!!!
Ruined!!!! to say the least.. some would rather Death by 1000 paper cuts but what Alex went thru and his after math!!! ... and I don't mean arithmetic!!!! But then......again... they are not where I live!! down in the Louisiana swamps..... We take care of business before it gets out of hand.... why do you think the 'GATORS" get to be over 1,000 ibs down here?????????????????????
Audentes, Fortuna, Iuvat!!!!!!,
III%,
skybill
And just where do dregs like this get the money to continue on? Theft?
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's a damn pity you can't just do a Thanos finger-snap and makecall these assholes go away.
ReplyDelete-lg
One look at her and change Rode Island to Rode Hard and Hung Up Wet Island!
ReplyDelete