PLAISTOW — Atkinson Selectman Harold Morse pleaded no
contest Monday to a disorderly conduct charge stemming from an incident in
September that led to his arrest.
Morse received a $300 fine, suspended for six months, on the
condition of good behavior during his trial in 10th Circuit Court.
A no contest plea is when a defendant admits no guilt, but
chooses not to dispute a criminal charge.
Morse's attorney, Gerard LaFlamme, asked Judge Sharon
DeVries to accept the plea "in the interest of justice in this case."
In "this particular case, I think this is
warranted," LaFlamme said, referencing the legal definition of disorderly
conduct, which states a person must leave a "public way" if told to
do so by a police officer.
Prosecutor Jill Cook agreed not to prosecute Morse on a
second charge of resisting arrest, for which he could have faced up to a year
in jail.
"I think this sounds like a resolution that makes sense
under the circumstances," DeVries said as she accepted Morse's plea.
Morse and his wife, Christine Lewis Morse, declined to
comment on the case. LaFlamme also declined to speak to the media.
On Sept. 16, Morse began directing traffic on Route 121 near
the intersection with Route 111 in Hampstead, where a construction project was
underway. When an officer directing traffic asked him to stop, Morse refused,
ultimately leading to his arrest.
It became clear during the trial that the
construction company working on the road was Lewis Builders, an Atkinson-based
company where Morse is the general manager. His wife is president of the
company.
4 comments:
They must be bored in circus court to have prosecuted this case at all or even to have arrested him in the first place. Civilians can do traffic details, what was the big issue other than some ego with a badge? Another vindictive bully. Taxpayer money down the tubes again for nothing.
More drama from the way right whackos in Atkinson, see post above ....typical nutz
To 2:36 - The only drama was in court. Making a mountain out of nothing.
To much mouthwash?
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