Madison Palencsar, 14, places stickers Wednesday warning of the criminal penalties awaiting those who provide alcohol to teens. She was joined by about a dozen other Mount Anthony Union High School students and several police officers.
11/18/2009
Album ID: 892004
Photos by Peter Crabtree
Christmas pleads guilty
2 photos
for sale
Michael Christmas is led into Bennington District Court by a phalanx of police oficers Friday. Christmas pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and the aggravated sexual assault of three children under the age of 10. More than a dozen police officers provided security, mindful of a free-for-all that took place at Christmas' arraignment. He entered his pleas without incident Friday.
11/6/2009
Album ID: 883185
Photos by Peter Crabtree
Tractor-trailer driver pleads
3 photos
for sale
Family members of the victims of a tractor-trailer accident comfort each other outside Bennington District Court while waiting for the driver, Kenneth Middlebusher, to enter a plea bargain Tuesday. Middlebusher was responsible for an April 2008 accident on Woodford Mountain that claimed the lives of three men.
10/27/2009
Album ID: 874933
Photos by Peter Crabtree
Murder case
3 photos
for sale
Michael Christmas, charged with the 2007 murder of his brother-in-law, Ronald Wilkins, enters Bennington District Court for a status conference Thursday. Public Defender Frederick Bragdon represented him. Wilkins' family gathered outside the court after the hearing, expressing frustration with the court system and saying they were there to "show our love and support for Ron." Christmas is also charged with sexually abusing children.
8/27/2009
Album ID: 824064
Photos by Peter Crabtree
Street checker
2 photos
for sale
Travis Finn is a "street checker" for the Center for Restorative Justice, directed by Leitha Cipriano, in Bennington.
8/22/2009
Album ID: 818637
Photos by Peter Crabtree
LaFountain sentenced to jail
3 photos
for sale
Shawn LaFountain, a former assistant fire chief, was sentenced in Bennington District Court to three to 10 years in jail for having sex with a junior firefighter. His wife, Crystal LaFountain, embraced him before he was led off by deputies.
7/21/2009
Album ID: 800340
Pratt held without bail
4 photos
for sale
Robert Pratt appeared in Bennington District Court on Thursday and was ordered held without bail on charges of imprisoning and sexually abusing a boy over the course of several years. Patricia Smith testified that she would serve as Pratt's guardian — he has severe learning disabilities — if he was released from jail.
7/16/2009
Album ID: 797874
Photos by Peter Crabtree
Burglary suspects
3 photos
for sale
Police are looking for identifications for three burglary suspects.
6/18/2009
Album ID: 780388
Photos by Vermont State Police
For Whom the Bell Tolls
1 photo
for sale
Debby Stanlewicz of the Project Against Violent Encounters rings the USS Bennington bell in honor of victims of sexual assault Wednesday. The organization displayed 93 red and white flags on the lawn outside the Bennington Town Office, one for each of the men, women and children victimized by sexual assault or stalking in 2008 who sought PAVE's services.
4/29/2009
Album ID: 742060
Photos by Peter Crabtree
Armed man in East Dorset
2 photos
for sale
Shari Battease, left, and Kathy Beebe tend the counter Tuesday at the East Dorset General Store. Police say a man with a shotgun approached customers Monday and threatened to holdup the store unless they gave him money. He later fled into the woods.