State Suspends Investigation of Alleged Abuses at Women's Prison

by Paul Heintz on June 1, 2020 at 4:11PM

Citing Seven Days' reporting that a supervisor at Chittenden Regional appeared to regularly run the facility while intoxicated, Smith also recommended that all corrections officers undergo regular drug testing. Such a change would require a change in statute or a new agreement with the Vermont State Employees Association, the union that represents DOC staffers.

As Controversies Mount, St. Albans Police Chief Gary Taylor to Retire

by Derek Brouwer on May 12, 2020 at 5:29PM

Taylor has served as the police chief since 2005, and has worked in law enforcement since 1977, according to the Saint Albans Messenger. Reached by email, Taylor declined to comment.

Prison Outbreak Leads to Skate Shop Owner's Release

by Derek Brouwer on April 24, 2020 at 3:21PM

Inmates and pre-trial detainees have flooded the courts with similar requests in recent weeks, many of which are still pending. Van Hazinga had a few factors working in his favor: His crime was nonviolent, he faces a federal sentence of just a few more months in prison, and he claimed reduced lung capacity from a severe skateboarding accident and years of smoking marijuana.

After Officer's Arrest, St. Albans to Examine Police Hiring, Training

by Derek Brouwer on April 23, 2020 at 6:32PM

'Dark Cloud' Over St. Albans PD After Officer Charged With Rape

by Derek Brouwer on April 21, 2020 at 6:13PM

For months, St. Albans officials strenuously denied that the department had a culture problem among its ranks and instead attributed instances of officer misconduct to a few bad apples. This week, Taylor said he has since understood that the department had a "small faction" of its 26 or so officers who "operated a little differently than everybody realized."

Advocates Fear Surge of Domestic Violence Cases in Vermont

by Paul Heintz on March 27, 2020 at 3:41PM

Such organizations typically help survivors file for relief-from-abuse orders against violent partners. But according to Amanda Cochrane, executive director of St. Johnsbury-based Umbrella, "Now some are worried that the abusive partner will not have anywhere safe to go and could get sick, complicating an already agonizing situation."

Vermont Senate Votes to Restrict Sentences of Life Without Parole

by Colin Flanders on March 11, 2020 at 3:52PM

Only people charged with murder can be sentenced to life without parole in Vermont. Sears' bill, S.261, would prohibit the sentence for people convicted of first- and second-degree murder.

Winooski Cop Denies a Slew of Domestic Violence Charges

by Derek Brouwer on February 20, 2020 at 9:09PM

Two weeks ago, sheriff's deputies in Grand Isle County served Matott with a temporary relief from abuse order sought by his girlfriend, as well as a temporary extreme risk protection order. The court orders required that Matott relinquish his weapons. At that time, Winooski police placed Matott, a detective assigned to a federal Drug Enforcement Administration task force, on paid administrative leave.

Man Who Lit City Hall Fire Committed Despite Mental Health Department's Objection

by Derek Brouwer on February 14, 2020 at 6:19PM

The state's attorney has faced criticism for how her office has sought to direct other cases to the Department of Mental Health, including a trio of murder and attempted murder cases that she dismissed last year. The move sparked intervention by Gov. Phil Scott, and federal prosecutors and the state Attorney General's Office refiled charges against two of the accused. 

Homeless Man Lights Fire in Burlington City Hall, Demands Hospital Treatment

by Derek Brouwer on February 10, 2020 at 6:36PM

Responding officers found city employees stomping out two small fires on the floor in a hallway. Phillips was barricaded inside a small second-floor break room with a hammer, which he used to damage "antique" windows, causing between $1,500 and $2,000 in damage, the affidavit stated.