Chapter 24 - Michael’s plea and the badge
Michael eventually accepted a negotiated resolution rather than take every charge to trial.
The most serious unsupported theories were dropped.
He accepted responsibility for offenses reflecting unlawful restraint, assaultive conduct involving the weapon, and misuse of his official position.
The deleted verification message affected negotiations significantly.
His sentence included a custodial component shorter than the maximum, followed by supervision and restrictions involving firearms during the applicable period.
Employment was separate.
The town conducted its own process.
Michael resigned before a final termination vote.
Some called that escaping accountability.
Others called it practical.
His pension rights were handled under applicable rules rather than erased because people were angry.
No dramatic stripping of medals in city hall.
No crowd cheering.
The badge stopped being his job.
That was consequence enough to reshape his identity.
Mom attended none of the hearings after the plea.
May you like
She said:
“I watched him be a police chief for twenty years. I don’t need to watch him stop.”
