WOBURN — Chelmsford Police Lt. Francis Goode Jr., 54, pleaded not responsible Thursday afternoon to expenses stemming from an incident final 12 months wherein he’s alleged to have interfered within the arrest of a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Division worker.
Goode was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Courtroom in Woburn, and is dealing with expenses of tampering with a document, intimidation of a witness, and violation of the requirements of conduct by a public worker.
These expenses stem from an incident on March 16, 2024, wherein prosecutors allege {that a} youthful Chelmsford Police officer pulled over Michael Caprigno, a Suffolk County jail officer sergeant, for suspected working below the affect whereas driving in Chelmsford Heart, after Caprigno almost struck the officer’s car together with his personal.
The officer from Chelmsford reportedly seen indicators of intoxication with Caprigno and positioned him below arrest following a subject sobriety check, after which Caprigno turned hostile, in line with prosecutors, and commenced telling officers he was employed by the Suffolk County sheriff. Caprigno informed the officers they’d “regret it” in the event that they arrested him, in line with courtroom paperwork.
Middlesex Assistant District Lawyer Mary O’Neill stated throughout Goode’s arraignment that Caprigno “verbally abused” the arresting officers, who “did the appropriate thing” and introduced him into the station to be jailed. When Caprigno was introduced in, the arresting officer left Caprigno with Goode whereas he grabbed paperwork. Throughout this time, prosecutors allege Caprigno informed Goode the place he labored, and that Goode then ordered the officer to launch Caprigno, to solely write him up for a lesser visitors violation and to change the data of the arrest.
“When the arresting officer returned, Lt. Goode asked the officer whether Caprigno told him about his employment, and when the officer confirmed he was aware, Goode asked the officer whether he knew what ‘professional courtesy’ was,” in line with the commonwealth’s assertion of the case. “Goode instructed the officer to write a citation for marked lanes only. He instructed the officer not to discuss the arrest with others. The arresting officer wrote the citation as ordered, and quickly left the station, upset.”
Goode then allegedly escorted Caprigno to the foyer of the police station to attend for a trip from a buddy, with out ever having been booked or requested to undergo a breath alcohol check.
O’Neill stated Goode “made certain changes himself” to these data to hide Caprigno’s arrest. These modifications made the incident seem to be a “brief roadside interaction,” in line with the commonwealth assertion.
In accordance with the courtroom paperwork, Goode referred to as the backup officer who had remained with Caprigno’s car to attend for a tow truck, and informed him to cancel the tow, which the backup officer is alleged to have accomplished.
Goode can be alleged to have yelled on the arresting officer after overhearing him discussing the incident with one other individual, in line with the commonwealth assertion.
The Middlesex District Lawyer’s Workplace and Chelmsford Police Chief Colin Spence each stated in statements after Goode’s indictment that Spence was knowledgeable of the incident in early December. In accordance with Spence’s assertion, the division had employed the skin agency Matthews & Matthews LLC of Boston to conduct an unrelated inner affairs investigation into allegations that Goode had violated insurance policies and procedures. Goode was positioned on administrative depart Dec. 3 throughout that investigation, which then uncovered the March 2024 incident that Spence stated was delivered to his consideration on Dec. 9, at which level the matter was referred to the DA’s workplace.
The state’s Peace Officer Requirements and Coaching Fee was notified all through the method, and on March 12 issued Goode a suspension order.
Goode was launched Thursday below his private recognizance with the situation that he not contact Caprigno or any officers who have been on the shift the incident allegedly occurred in.
On Monday, forward of the arraignment, Goode’s legal professional, Keith Nicholson, stated in a press release that “there is a dispute about what actually took place, as well as what information was conveyed to Lt. Goode at the time.”
“It is clear that Lt. Goode is not alleged to have done anything to benefit himself at any time,” Nicholson stated within the assertion earlier than pointing to Goode’s lengthy tenure in Chelmsford. “He has been the recipient of numerous lifesaving awards and received commendations for meritorious service including the arrest of an individual during an armed home invasion which resulted in murder convictions in multiple states. He chose to remain in town where he got married and raised his children. He coached youth sports and was actively involved in the town outside of the job. He is also very proud to have served as a longtime union leader for the police department.”
Goode’s case is subsequent scheduled for an April 10 listening to. Caprigno was additionally indicted final week on expenses of working drunk and a violation of the requirements of conduct as a public worker. An arraignment date has not been set for Caprigno.
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