Pubdate: Thu, 12 Jan 2006
Source: Union Leader (NH)
Copyright: 2006 The Union Leader Corp.
Contact:  http://www.theunionleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/761
Author: Stephen Seitz, Union Leader Correspondent
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

EX-PROSECUTOR GUILTY IN MARIJUANA CHARGE

NEWPORT -- Former Manchester city prosecutor Kenneth Bernard has
pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing marijuana, according to
documents released yesterday by Sullivan County Superior Court.

Bernard pleaded guilty to a violation on Monday, and was fined $250
with no jail time or other conditions. Bernard paid the fine
immediately.

"This means there was no finding of criminal conduct on Mr. Bernard's
part," explained his attorney, Emile Bussiere Jr. "He has been living
with this situation for a long time and is glad to put it behind him."

Bernard, 34, was originally charged on two misdemeanor counts of
possessing marijuana. Donna, his estranged wife, made the accusations
to Manchester police as the couple were in the process of divorce.

According to court documents, Donna Bernard told Manchester police
that she had found some marijuana in her husband's sock drawer on Nov.
30, 2004, not long after she was denied a restraining order against
him. Also discovered was a spent marijuana cigarette, for a total of
about 5 grams of marijuana, which amounts to about two "joints."

Bernard denied any knowledge of the marijuana, but also refused to
submit to a voluntary blood test.

While this was going on, Bernard's brother, Christopher Bernard, was
being prosecuted for murdering their sister, Trisha Doyle and her two
children, Gillian, 4, and James, 2. Christopher Bernard pleaded guilty
last April to three counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to
life imprisonment.

Ken Bernard's case was moved to Sullivan County Superior Court to
avoid conflicts.
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