Hopkinton News : crime

Hopkinton murderer denied appeal

Bow Editor — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:38:00 GMT

Despite the support of his victim’s mother, a convicted murderer’s appeal was denied by the governor’s office 17 years after he killed his girlfriend in Hopkinton.

Shayne Pitts, who shot and killed his then-girlfriend in 1991, had appealed the state in hopes of receiving a pardon, saying he did not knowingly kill Melody Derosia-Waters.

“I don’t know how I came to be, or what I was on,” Pitts said in his appeal letter. “It was not my intention to in any way hurt Melody that night, and once I came down many hours later, still highly intoxicated but finally able to comprehend what had happened, a horrible realization, that I had killed Melody.”

Pitts was sentenced to 40 years to life after being found guilty of shooting Derosia-Waters multiple times before burying her beneath the floor of his stepfather’s Hopkinton house.

Derosia-Waters’ mother, Lylah Rose Goldwater, began talking with Pitts a few years ago, and together they have been working on a book she is writing on the events that led to her daughter’s death.

Goldwater, who now lives in New London, has forgiven Pitts for the crime he committed against her daughter.

“I thought to myself that after all of these years, he has lost half of his youth on something I have come to believe was not intended,” said Goldwater. “Yes, I know he killed her and it was a terrible thing, I’m the first to think that. Two wrongs can’t make a right here. He’s lost all of his youth and he’s no better than the walking dead right now.”

Despite Goldwater’s support, Gov. John Lynch denied the pardon appeal on Oct. 8 and the state’s Executive Council supported the decision.

“The governor and council felt that the circumstances involved in this crime were heinous and did not rise to the level of deserving a pardon,” said Colin Manning, the governor’s press secretary.

After hearing of the denial, Goldwater said she was disappointed.

“The denial of the appeal really hurt. It didn’t hurt me, I know it hurt him. It bothered me because I saw it differently,” she said. “I just don’t think anyone has had the same contact as I have had to base their opinion. They’re looking at it from the legal cut-and-dry view, not the same view as I am. That’s OK. That’s their job.”

Goldwater also said after doing research, she thinks Pitts’ explanation that he does not remember the night he killed Derosia-Waters is plausible. Pitts is not eligible for parole until 2031, something that troubles Goldwater.

“He has spent most of his life there. He grew up in prison. That’s no place to grow up,” said Goldwater, who said helping Pitts has been emotional for her. “The truth is that there is no true closure when someone so close to you has been murdered. He did the crime. I know he’s also done some time, and that should have been looked at a little closer.”

Hundreds show support for family of Hopkinton offi cer Sean Powers

Bow Editor — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:28:00 GMT

BY SARAH LEBRUN

In a sea of motorcycles and bikers, there was one common purpose – to support the family and memory of Hopkinton police officer Sean Powers.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, 304 people turned out for a motorcycle ride to benefit the Powers family. A motorcade of bikers left Hillsboro-Deering High School with a police escort at 10 a.m. for a two-hour ride to Waterville Valley in the White Mountains. Russell Fuller and Jeremy Gaudet, two of Powers’ high school friends, organized the event.

“It’s something we all loved to do,” said Fuller. “We all used to ride together.”

Fuller said they would like to make this an annual event, and they will make a donation to a different cause each year.

Powers, who joined the Hopkinton Police Department in April, was riding his motorcycle home at the end of his shift when he was killed by an alleged drunk driver on Aug. 14. Powers served two tours of duty in Iraq, suffering no injuries, and was home for less than one year before the incident occurred.

“I heard about this story, and it was a real heart (breaker),” said Rich Netto of Hillsborough, one of the participants in the event.

“Sean and I were like brothers,” said Peter W. Powers Sr., Sean’s father, “the whole military thing, the whole motorcycle thing.”

Peter Powers said by the time his son was 19, he even had a brand-new Harley.

“Sean was just a real nice guy,” said Peter Powers. “He didn’t have a lot of friends – but you knew he loved you, and he knew you loved him.”

Sean Powers’ first-grade teacher, Vicky Wheeler of Hillsborough, sat on the tailgate of her truck amidst the commotion around her. Her husband, John, rode in the benefit as well. Both have been friends with the Powers family for years.

“I’ve got soccer duty today, otherwise I’d be riding, too,” said Wheeler.

“This has got to feel good for the Powers,” said Wheeler, of the massive amount of support shown for the family.

“We miss him, we really miss him,” said Hopkinton firefighter Sean Weldon, who showed up with other members of the Fire Department.

Many people who never knew Powers showed up to the event as well.

“I’m just supporting him as a former police officer myself,” said Ray Bernier of Temple.

“I’m just a fellow Marine,” said Mike Brien of Hillsborough.

Father Mark Dollard, pastor of St. Theresa’s Church in Henniker and St. Mary’s Church in Hillsborough, performed a blessing of the bikes before bikers headed to Waterville Valley. Dollard also officiated at Powers’ funeral.

“We’re going on – putting one foot in front of the other,” said Peter Powers. “You got to have faith. You got to have faith that you’ll see him again.”

Driver to go on trial for death of Hopkinton police officer

Bow Editor — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:34:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

A Henniker District Court judge ruled there is probable cause to move forward in the case of the 22-year-old Henniker man accused of killing Hopkinton police officer Sean Powers.

Jeffrey Dennis is facing two charges of negligent homicide, one charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated and one charge of conduct after an accident. Sean Powers, 24, was riding his motorcycle back to his home in Hillsboro after his shift at the Hopkinton Police Department at round 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14.

He was travelling west-bound on Route 202/9 in Henniker, said State Police Troop D Capt. Russell Conte, when Jeff Dennis, 22, of Henniker hit him from behind.

When Dennis’ 1992 BMW struck Powers’ Harley Davidson, Powers was thrown into the road where he was inadvertently struck a second time by a Honda Civic traveling westbound. The driver of the Honda is not being charged in the accident.

After hitting Powers, Dennis and a passenger, now identified as Adam Kowalski of Henniker, fled the accident scene. Both were found within several hours, according to police.

Kowalski is not facing any charges at this point, and has been cooperating with the investigation. Dennis and Kowalski had allegedly been drinking at Chen Yang Li in Bow prior to the accident.

Henniker District Court Judge Brackett Scheffy ruled there was probable cause to proceed with the charges against Dennis at a hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Scheffy also continued Dennis’ bail at $500,000 cash only.

The case now goes up to Merrimack County Superior Court for trial. A date has not been set.

Dennis has several DWIs on his record, and has allegedly left the scene of two other accidents in the past.

Powers had just joined the Hopkinton police force in April 2008, and having completed his field training, was about to enter the police academy.

Prior to that, Powers served two tours of duty in Iraq, one from August 2004 to March 2005 and another from September 2006 to April 2007, and came back unscathed.

Powers graduated from Hillsboro- Deering High School in 2002 and joined the Marines. He was based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for his entire Marine career, outside of his two deployments.

Hopkinton Police Chief David Wheeler said his department has kept in close contact with the family since Powers’ death.

“They’ve certainly risen to the occasion. They’re working through things in a very positive way, and they’ve been in communication with the family continuously,” Wheeler said of his officers. “I think that’s been very positive both for them and the family.”

He added while the Hopkinton police are in no way involved in the Merrimack County Attorney’s Office investigation into the crash, the Hopkinton police are hoping the process will work in this case.

“Our hope is that the justice system does what it’s intended to do,” Wheeler said.

Hopkinton officer remembered with bike benefit

Bow Editor — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:26:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Police officer Sean Powers’ memory will ride on.

Hopkinton Police Chief David Wheeler is working with two of Powers’ Hillsboro-Deering High School classmates to honor the recently killed officer with a motorcycle ride to benefit the Powers family.

“The family is strapped right now with paying for the funeral, so we wanted to generate a fundraiser and bring closure to that issue,” said Wheeler. “By the same token, we want to do something very positive to not only help the family out, but bring people together in his memory.”

Wheeler said the Saturday, Oct. 4, motorcycle ride will hopefully include a two-hour ride into the White Mountains, a one-hour lunch break, and a two-hour ride back, including a police escort the entire way. Powers, who joined the Hopkinton Police Department in the spring, was killed on Aug. 14 by an alleged drunk driver while riding his motorcycle home at the end of his shift.

“He had so many passions. It’ll be amazing to try to think about what he would want to have money go to each year,” said Russell Fuller, one of Powers’ friends who organized the benefit with friend Jeremy Gaudette. “It’ll be good coming up with special things to remember a special person. It’s hard to say just how amazing someone is.”

Even though Powers worked with Wheeler in the department for a short time, the chief said Powers made a big impact.

“Although he was here for a short period of time, his spirit will be stimulating this department and community for a long time to come,” said Wheeler. “It hit here as hard as it hit them, in some respects. It’s been very good for the officers to get through this by maintaining an open communication with the family.”

Fuller said he has been impressed to see the community response since Powers’ death, and hopes the motorcycle ride will be more of the same outpouring.

“Even the day we did the funeral, seeing everyone on the side of the road was very respectful,” said Fuller. “I’m looking forward to putting something like this together every year from now on. I’m hoping I can do it every year, learn more about it and see people coming back.”

Wheeler said he has already gotten a large response about the ride, and hopes to get at least 300 to 400 people to take part. Each rider is being asked to make a $25 donation for the event, which has a rain date of Saturday, Oct. 18.

“I think it’ll be very instrumental in (getting some sort of closure),” said Wheeler. “The family needs the support, and they’re getting the support.”

Even those who don’t ride motorcycles may take part in the event, as Wheeler said there have been volunteers willing to cater the lunch at the halfway point of the ride.

While Wheeler said the fundraiser will be helpful in the grieving process, he knows it is ongoing.

“This process will take time. It’s not something that will be over in any finite period,” said Wheeler. “We want to keep that memory stimulated and very much alive.”

Motorcycle Ride will travel from Hillsboro-Deering High School to the White Mountains and back. Anyone who wants to participate in the ride is asked to meet at the Hillsboro-Deering High School, 12 Hillcrest Dr. Hillsboro, at 9 a.m.

Those interested in taking part in the ride should contact Chief Wheeler at 746-5151.

Hopkinton officer killed by drunk driver

Bow Editor — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:24:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

A young Hopkinton police officer who just joined the force in April after serving two tours of duty in Iraq was killed on Thursday, Aug. 14, when a drunk driver rear-ended him.

Sean Powers, 24, was driving his motorcycle back to his home in Hillsborough after his shift at the Hopkinton Police Department around 1:30 a.m. He was traveling westbound on Route 202/9 in Henniker, said State Police Troop D Capt. Russell Conte, when Jeff Dennis, 22, of Henniker hit him from behind.

When Dennis’ BMW struck Powers’ Harley-Davidson, Powers was thrown into the road, where he was inadvertently struck a second time by a Honda Civic traveling west-bound, Conte said.

Dennis, who has several convictions for drunk driving on his record, is facing one more, in addition to being charged with negligent homicide and felony conduct after an accident. The driver of the Honda is not being charged, Conte said.

“Right after the accident happened, (Dennis) bolted into the woods,” said Conte, who added police used a helicopter and numerous search crews to locate Dennis in the area shortly after the accident occurred.

Conte said Powers was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Calling hours were held on Sunday, Aug. 17, and Monday, Aug. 18. Funeral services took place Tuesday, Aug. 19. The family is trying to cope with the loss while at the same time celebrating Powers’ achievements and good spirit.

“We’re taking it in stride,” said his brother, Dan Powers, 21, with whom Sean Powers shared an apartment on Mary Rowe Drive in Hillsborough. “I mean, we’re celebrating a great life and at the same time we’re devastated.”

After graduating from Hillsboro-Deering High School in 2002, Sean Powers served in the Marines and was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina from August 2002 to August 2007, according to the employment history on his resume.

Dan Powers said his brother suffered no injuries during the two tours of duty he served overseas as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, one from August 2004 to March 2005 and the other from September 2006 to April 2007.

When he returned, he began working for Asplundh Tree Expert Co., based in Weare, where his brothers Dan and Peter Powers also worked. Kimberly Carney, the office manager for Asplundh, said Powers was overjoyed when he got the job with the Hopkinton Police Department.

“He was so excited when he got this position because he was going to be a motorcycle police officer,” Carney said. “He was just meant for so many bigger things, and it’s just a shame,” she said.

Gary Shelto, regional manager and vice president of Asplundh Tree Expert Co., Region 28, said Powers was a wonderful employee and a great person to be around.

Dan Powers said he was woken up at around 4:45 a.m., just a few hours after his brother was killed, when his father called and told Dan to meet him in the living room of their apartment. His father then broke the news to him.

“We got along great. We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs,” said Dan Powers of his relationship with his older brother. “He was always the best person to break the ice.”

The accident, near the intersection near the former Golden Pineapple and Route 202/9 in Henniker, remains under investigation. Conte said the results of Dennis’ blood alcohol test are not yet available.

An accident reconstruction team is still trying to piece the accident together to determine whether speed was a factor. There are skid marks in the vicinity of the crash scene, said Conte, but not very long ones.

“This guy probably wasn’t on the brakes,” said Conte of Dennis.

“I think it’s a tragic loss that you have someone who survived military action, and comes back and dies on a roadway,” Conte said, adding Sean Powers was operating his motorcycle responsibly and made no errors to cause the accident. “Regardless of him being a police officer, he was just going home like anybody else.”

Conte added the stretch of road where the accident occurred has seen several fatal accidents over the years, most of them caused by people drifting over the center line, which didn’t seem to be the case here.

Dennis was arraigned at Concord District Court on Friday, Aug. 15, where Conte said a judge set his bail at $250,000 cash. As of the end of the week, Friday, Aug. 15, Dennis was still in jail, Conte said.

Dan Powers described his brother as sometimes “too honest,” and said the family is trying to focus on the positives of his brother’s life.

“His goal in life was to make everyone smile, and he could, too,” he said.

Jail time cut

Bow Editor — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:28:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Melanie Cooper will only serve half of her original sentence.

After Cooper pleaded guilty to hindering apprehension, a felony, in the investigation of Eric Windhurst’s 1985 murder of her stepfather, Danny Paquette, she was sentenced in December to three to six years in prison.

But after a three-judge panel reviewed her case, at the request of Cooper, her sentence was reduced to 15 to 30 months.

According to published reports, Cooper met with the judges on June 15 and the panel made its decision on Friday, June 22.

“Melanie appreciates the careful review conducted by the sentence review panel in the reduction of her sentence,” said Cooper’s lawyer, Paul McDonough.

Cooper, 37, has been serving her sentence at state women’s prison in Goffstown since December and will be eligible for parole in March.

Eric Windhurst, Cooper’s high school classmate, is serving a 15- to 36-year sentence after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2006.

Cooper testified against him, and according to Senior Assistant Attorney General Jeff Strelzin, the prosecutor in the case, Windhurst couldn’t have been brought to justice without her assistance.

Still, Superior Court Judge Robert Lynn went against the state’s recommendation of a five-year suspended sentence, instead sentencing her to a three- to six-year prison sentence.

Prior to Cooper’s meeting with the panel, Strelzin said the state would stand by its original recommendation.

“It was in recognition, primarily, of her cooperation in the case that allowed us to solve the 20-year old unsolved murder,” he said. “We also considered who she was at the time, and a lack of criminal history and what she’s done with her life since.”

Cooper had been living out of state, with her husband and five children, and had lied to police during prior investigations.

She claimed she was with Windhurst, who was 17 years old at the time he shot and killed Paquette. She was 15 years old.

Cooper told Windhurst that Paquette had sexually assaulted her, but said she was unaware Windhurst would kill her stepfather.

McDonough said the panel ruled Cooper had nothing to do with the homicide.