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
Andrew James in court
2 photos
for sale
Andrew James, a sex offender whose case attracted national attention, appeared Wednesday in Bennington District Court. He was accused of violating the terms of his probation.
11/4/2009
Album ID: 881402
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
In the running
2 photos
for sale
David Fenster, a lawyer in private practice in Bennington, is in the running to become the Addison County state's attorney.
9/3/2009
Album ID: 829048
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
Bennington District Court
2 photos
for sale
Jessica Stratton, whose recent overdose led to the arrest of several people on drug charges after police executed a search warrant, had her bail increased from $20,000 to $50,000 Monday. Meanwhile, Thomas Chirasello, a custodian at Hoosick Falls Central School, pleaded innocent to a sexual assault charge.
6/8/2009
Album ID: 772922
Photos by Peter Crabtree
Bank robbery
4 photos
for sale
Michael Washington appears in Bennington District Court with attorney Daniel McManus to answer a charge of possession of stolen property. Washington is suspected of robbing a bank in Brunswick, N.Y. Like Washington, Colleen Carpenter pleaded not guilty to a possession charge. Detective Sgt. David Rowland holds up a $10 bill that police say was stained by a dye pack in the wake of the robbery.
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