Mr. Chinnici was prosecuted based on evidence arising from these unlawful actions, though his resulting conviction was eventually thrown out. ACLU Sues Bennington Police Over 2016 Investigation, Arrest The incident is the first reported homicide case in Bennington or the county this year. Contrary to social media reports, no bomb or explosive device was involved in the attack, Doucette said. The primary cause of this crash remains under investigation, however speed appears to be a contributing factor. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Two drug busts in Bennington have three residents facing a multitude of drug charges. January 18, 2023. Wright was released after pleading not guilty to the charge. While attempting several times to acquire copies of police reports concerning the crash, family members and friends of Heck have alleged that the BPD was negligent for not trying harder to find him afterward. One-car crash in Bennington under investigation The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg. In Bennington, police said they received a false report of two student shootings one at Grace Christian School and one at Mt. Bennington homicide victim linked to assault, kidnapping in Springfield He then begins kicking the door and, getting no response, begins punching in numbers in an attempt to gain entry. The deceased is Elton Dowd, 19, of Fitchburg, Mass. He was ordered to not have any contact or harass Scanlon, not to come within 10 feet of the courthouse or stalk Scanlon in any manner. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. I stand by the actions of the officers.. COURT DATE/TIME: 02/27/2023 at 0815 hours. Police say at about 9:15 a.m., people working at. This extensive effort in the United States brought together subject matter experts to study and produce recommendations related to the entire criminal justice system. SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: ON the above date and time, Vermont State Police were advised of a be on the lookout for a Dorr Oil truck which was being operated all over the roadway on US Route 7 in the Town of Shaftsbury. ACLU of Vermont Staff Attorney Hillary Rich: No one should be subjected to the dishonest and coercive tactics that John Chinnici experienced at the hands of Bennington police. Vermont State Police have arrested two people in connection with stolen firearms from a Waterbury gun shop. In a follow-up interview on Feb. 1, Hager told police he was going from Hoosick Falls, N.Y., to Home Depot in Bennington prior to the crash. Shortly after the incident, someone ignited fireworks in the area of Depot Street, he explained. Stay informed and read the latest news today from The Associated Press, . Like us on Facebook. Bennington Police are investigating a shooting late Saturday night. Vermont schools, N.H. Walmarts receive apparent hoax threats Incorporate this belief into the mission, vision, goals, ethics, and oath of the Bennington Police Department. However, as communities, elected officials, appointed officials and the Bennington Police Department are developing new and innovative approaches to public safety, the focus should expand beyond just policies and procedures to include both the broader criminal justice and public health ecosystems: Maximize available, thoughtful resources, similar to the process for recommendations from the Commission of Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. Federal money bound for Burlington Airport to fund terminal expansion Updated : Feb. 28 . BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) A Bennington man is suing the town, its police chief and two officers, accusing them of violating his constitutional rights by arresting him in the 2016 armed robbery. Police said the material later was matched to a tear in the leg of Hecks jeans when he was found and he had been bleeding. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Wright requested a court-appointed defense attorney, which was granted. BENNINGTON Bennington Police have released the name of the individual who fell to their death off the Chapel Road-Route 279 overpass on Feb. 20. Police: Arrest made in Bennington killing | Local News Jason Burnham or Detective Corey Briggs at 802-442-1030 or through the BPD website, benningtonpolice.com. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. The reports also note that Hecks wallet was inside the vehicle along with a .40 cal. Police release identities of Bennington homicide victim, suspect BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify. of Ballston Spa, New York, police said in a news release. There needs to be acknowledgement and empathy shown to all regardless of position, race, religion, gender, or socio-economic standing. Vermont State Police (@VTStatePolice) / Twitter At one point, Wright filmed a sheriffs deputy as he washed his car at a public car wash, asking the deputy how he paid for the wash. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time. COURT: Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division, *Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of. While speaking with Riendeau indicators of impairment were observed. The illegally obtained evidence was then used against Mr. Chinnici at trial. The body was found Monday, Jan. 11, after family members and friends, along with police from Bennington and surrounding communities had begun a large-scale search. After hours of Mayhew refusing to implicate Mr. Chinnici, BPD Chief Paul Doucette deviated from BPD policy and conducted an unrecorded and non-memorialized interview with Mayhew. Chinnicis case is emblematic of well-documented problems with Benningtons police department, and it shows how much further Vermont still has to go to establish a culture of accountability in law enforcement. Police arrested Austin Mayhew on January 14, and he ultimately admitted to being one of the two robbers. After getting a description of the suspect, a BPD officer reportedly found him on School Street. Speaking after release of the reports, Doucette said he is sorry for the familys loss, but he also believes people have to look at the totality of circumstances surrounding this incident, which he said emerged in the incident reports, especially after a medical examiners report was released late last week confirmed the alcohol level. In addition, the specialized resources of the Vermont State Police support our local, county and federal partners in times of need. Planned Parenthood to close 5 centers in north New England. Don't miss the big stories. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. Chance of snow 90%.. You have permission to edit this article. in police interrogations. Police did speak to the contact on Sunday, Jan. 10, and were told they had not seen Heck since Friday morning. An officer provided first aid until the Bennington Rescue Squad arrived, he said. BPD was unable to release the name until now because they hadn't been able to find family to notify. State and local police, along with members of the Bureau of . Officers searching the night of the crash with a K-9 unit reported hearing branches breaking in the woods near a 10-foot wildlife fence and called out, saying, Bennington Police K-9 unit. One driver traveling in the same direction on Jan. 8 told police the Heck vehicle earlier passed several vehicles in the breakdown lane at speeds the witness estimated at up to 100 mph, before then slowing to almost a complete stop and almost causing a crash. Tiffany Tan reported for the Bennington Banner from November 2018 to September 2021, with a focus on police and court stories. Winds light and variable. Doucette said he wanted to point out a misconception repeated on social media that the body was 200 yards from the scene of the crash, when Heck actually was found approximately that distance from Route 279 but much farther toward the New York line from the actual crash site near the Austin Hill Road underpass. Mr. Chinnicis experience is a product of a notoriously toxic law enforcement culture in Bennington, and another shocking example of what happens when we leave it to the police to police themselves. Email jtherrien@benningtonbanner.com. Bennington Police Officers are the branch of municipal government that enforces the law, but they do not make the laws. BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) Police took a 17-year-old male into custody near a Vermont high school after investigating a report of a . You have permission to edit this article. The exact day or time of death was not determined, Doucette said. Wright makes many posts on social media in which he can be observed harassing police officers, members of the media and court employees. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please, We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by, Local man arrested for attempted break-in at courthouse, Southern Vermont Arts Center high school student art show reception postponed because of weather, Court deems River Bend Market assault suspect fit for trial, Fire destroys home on Northside Drive this morning, Support our journalism. The Bennington Police Department, the lead investigating agency, said it continues to investigate the Monday killing and is asking anyone with information to contact Detective Sgt. Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. Anthony Union High School. BENNINGTON - Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette tests his skills against the third grade class at Monument Elementary School on Friday morning during a game of "Are you smarter than a third grader?". Low 29F. The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A drug bust in Bennington on Monday ended with police arresting eight people, including one who jumped out a second-story window. Referring to social media and other criticism of the departments actions from the time of the crash on a Friday night, Jan. 8, until Hecks body was found the following Monday, Jan. 11, Doucette said, I stand by the actions of the officers.. If members of the Bennington community want changes to police department operations, the Police Chief should inform the public of potential costs and benefits of that change allowing the community to make informed and appropriate decisions. BPD releases officer reports on Heck crash, aftermath. An employee at the building alerted police out of concern for a judge who was working in the building at the time. Mr. Chinnici now asserts that BPD officials and the Town of Bennington violated his federal and state constitutional rights. Show Transcript. Upon arrival Troopers located a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with significant damage in the middle of the roadway. Police detectives say that Misch went to the . Riendeau was transported to the Shaftsbury barracks where she was processed and issued a citation to appear in Bennington Superior Court Criminal Division to answer to the charge of DUI #2 on 3-13-23 at 0815 hours.