Kitten kicked, woman assaulted, policeman arrested
Manchester, NH (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Dec 24, 2006
County: Hillsborough
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: James Gaudet
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A Litchfield police lieutenant has been charged with simple assault for allegedly grabbing his teenage daughter by the throat and pushing her up against a closet door on Christmas Eve.
James Gaudet, 45, was arrested in Manchester after police issued a warrant on Christmas morning. After the Dec. 24 incident, his daughter filed a report with the Manchester Police Department, according to the police affidavit.
Gaudet, who lives 153 Roysan St., in Manchester, was also charged with animal cruelty for allegedly kicking the family's kitten. His daughter told police Gaudet became upset after finding the kitten in the Christmas tree.
The 19-year-old said she told Gaudet not to kick the kitten, to which he replied, "Don't you ever threaten me again," and moved toward her. Gaudet grabbed her throat with one hand and while holding it pushed her down the hallway, causing her head to hit the door, she told police.
Gaudet's wife pulled his hand off of the daughter's throat and asked him to leave, the affidavit said. The teen then brought her three younger sisters to the home of a neighbor, who later brought her to the police station.
The teen did not seek medical treatment, and police did not find any marks on her neck.
At first, the teen was nervous about giving a statement, saying she didn't want someone to lose his job, officer Louis Krawczyk wrote in the affidavit. She asked if she could file a report, but not press criminal charges, Krawczyk said.
Gaudet, second-in-command in the Litchfield Police Department, is on paid medical leave while recovering from shoulder surgery. A call to Gaudet's work cell phone was not returned, but he said in the voicemail greeting he's on leave indefinitely.
He had left home by the time officers showed up to talk to him at around 12:30 a.m. on Christmas, the affidavit said. Later that morning, police issued a warrant for his arrest.
This isn't the first time Gaudet has made headlines.
Earlier this year, his wife petitioned Manchester District Court for a restraining order against the officer, alleging Gaudet had been abusive and suicidal. The case was later dismissed.
In the fall, Gaudet waged an unsuccessful campaign for Hillsborough County Sheriff.
Last year, Gaudet was placed on paid administrative leave while the sheriff's office investigated his conduct. Litchfield police Chief Joseph O'Brion initiated the investigation, but was demoted by selectmen soon after.
O'Brion was investigating Gaudet for a "mooning" incident at a private Christmas party and for allegedly trying to get another officer to call in sick, according to court records.
O'Brion sued to get his job back and eventually won. In a sworn deposition, O'Brion suggested his refusal to stop the investigation into Gaudet was part of the reason he was demoted.
What came of the investigation into Gaudet's conduct was never made public, but he eventually returned to work.
O'Brion said the department has a policy in place for when an officer is arrested, and that policy is being followed.
"Beyond that, I can't really comment," O'Brion said.
Cecil Williams, selectmen's chairman in Litchfield, declined comment.
"I really can't really talk about that. It wouldn't be proper," he said.
A spokesperson for Manchester police did not return a phone call.
Gaudet was arraigned at Manchester District Court and released that day on $500 bail. His trial is scheduled for March 15.
Bail conditions prohibit him from having any contact with his daughter, or going within 100 yards of his Manchester home.
Case UpdatesA police lieutenant accused of pushing his teenage daughter and kicking the family's kitten is now facing charges in superior court. Lt. James Gaudet was scheduled to go trial Wednesday in Manchester District Court on charges of domestic assault and animal cruelty.
The charges were dropped last week at the request of prosecutors and re-filed in Hillsborough Superior Court. Prosecutors did not give a reason.
The maximum penalty for the charges is the same in both courts: up to 12 months in prison and as much as a $2,000 fine. | Source: Foster's Online - April 4, 2007
Update posted on Apr 6, 2007 - 10:33AM |
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