Attorneys Looking For Mental Health Facility for Waltham Police Chief [VIDEO]
Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix may head to a mental health facility.
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Attorneys are seaching for a mental health facility for Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix in the wake of his recent arrest for allegedly attacking his wife at their Maynard home.
LaCroix's attorney, Peter Bella, made the request during a dangerousness hearing at Concord District Court on Tuesday, June 19. If the proper facility cannot be found, LaCroix will continue his dangerousness hearing on Thursday, June 21, according to Middlesex County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Stephanie Guyotte. The spokesman described it only as a treatment facility, but the prosectuor, during the hearing, said they were searching for a mental health facility.
LaCroix remains in the custody of the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office and is on leave with pay.
The judge denied the two motions, made by Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Kontz, for LaCroix to undergo a competency hearing and a seperate psychological examination. Bella said his client is competent to stand trial.
The judge ordered LaCroix stay away from the alleged victim and any witnesses. LaCroix spoke only to say he understood the instructions.
Prior to the motions, attorneys on both sides had a 10-minute sidebar with the judge to discuss information Bella said would be damaging to his client.
LaCroix, shackled and wearing a dark suit, stood in the prisoner vestibule as the hearing proceeded.
Several supporters attended the hearing including Waltham Police Officer Ann Frassica and Detective Sgt. Joseph Guigno. For video of LaCroix's attorney discussing the support for his client, click on the photo box to the right.
Despite the hearing, no additional details on the incident itself emerged. The police report and other related documents remain closed to the public.
Full cover of the arrest/court case of Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix.
If you are worried about your relationship or that of family member or friend, you can call REACH Beyond Domestic Violence for assistance at 1-800-499-4000. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
jack
6:42 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
.......oh ya.....im sure he knows how to play the system.......people need to keep following this story.........or it will go away..............swept under the rugs of justice........
Becky
7:20 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Wow... What a disgrace! We are paying his salary!!!!
Wake up Waltham!
Mental Health Facility? Guess who will be paying for that.....
Ryan Grannan-Doll
9:25 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Becky,
While some may find it wrong to pay him during this time, LaCroix, just like you and I, is entitled to a presumption of innocence. Also, I'm assuming the state is paying for his mental health care, just like you and I would receive the same benefit if we were in his situation.
jack
5:26 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
................THE Way i see it is.......ok.......put a stop to his paychecks for now....if he is found innocent then give him the back pay he would be entitled to.....
Sam Adams
9:31 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Usually at an arraignment, they present some evidence to establish probable cause. It doesn't seem like the public has been privy yet to any information about the alleged incidences, just some vague story that two incidences occurred. Is this normal?
Ryan Grannan-Doll
9:43 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Hi Sam,
Good question. This was not an arraignment. LaCroix was arraigned in his hospital bed on Friday, June 15. On Tuesday, June 19, the court held a dangerousness hearing for him to determine whether he is a threat to himself or others. This is done for people charged with violent crimes or for those believed to have mental health issues.
Also, I'm not an attorney, but I think I have enough legal knowledge to say probable cause was established already, which gave police the ability to arrest him.
The reason so little information has been released is because the "statement of facts" and other documents typically open to the public, have been impounded. Nobody has told the media why that is, but it is typically done in cases involving sexual abuse or when details of it involve medical or mental health issues. In this case, I believe the mental health reasons, combined with the desire to protect the alleged victims and witnesses compelled the judge to impound the file.
Tim Hill
12:26 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Ryan, most health insurance plans in Massachusetts cover mental illness. To the extent that Waltham is not self-insured, and I don't know if it is, the health insurance provider is likely covering the cost.
Ryan Grannan-Doll
12:32 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Good point Tim. Regardless of the cost, the most important part of this story: the justice system working properly, as it would would any other defendant. Also, it's key that alleged victims and defendant receive any assistance they need.
suecalish
5:19 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Anger-Mgmt..Pych.illness..Job-performance.public.at.risk..No.delays-he.must.be.replaced..Waltham.needs.to.test.all.city..workers.
Oliver Klozoff
8:35 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I hate to be the grammar police, but you used two periods between "city" and "workers." http://www.apstylebook.com/