Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog
A police officer accused of several acts of violence against his wife has been ordered to report to a mental health facility after a hearing in Concord District Court. According to The Boston Globe, which reported on testimony that was made public yesterday, the Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix allegedly “grabbed his wife in a chokehold” and “slammed her into a kitchen counter” in an altercation at their Maynard home.
Although LaCroix was arrested last week, the details of the allegations were not made public. According to Middlesex District Assistant Attorney Susanne Kontz, LaCroix’s wife, Andrea LaCroix, showed up at a neighbor’s home on June 12 and appeared to have several injuries. When she was accompanied by the neighbor back to the couple’s home, the attack allegedly occurred. The police chief also threatened to kill his wife and himself.
District Court Judge Paul Yee ordered that LaCroix report to a mental health facility and be released from jail. The judge also stipulated that he wear a GPS monitoring bracelet in order to ensure that he stays away from his wife. Since the arrest, he has been placed on paid administrative leave and is now charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault and battery, one count of assault and one count of intimidating a witness. According to officials, he is pleading not guilty on all counts.
Suspended Waltham police chief to be freed from jail but must enter mental health facility, The Boston Globe, June 21, 2012
