State AG says death penalty will be sought
By Charles A. Radin, Globe Staff Oct. 18,2006
 Manchester, N.H., police Officer Allen Aldenberg covered his eyes in Dorchester District Court yesterday as he and colleagues listened at the arraignment of Michael Addison, suspected in the shooting Monday of their comrade, who died yesterday. (Robert E. Klein for the Boston Globe) |
New Hampshire police officer dies of his wounds
State AG says death penalty will be sought
A Manchester, N.H., police officer who was shot in the head early Monday died yesterday afternoon, an hour after the man suspected of shooting him refused to return voluntarily to New Hampshire and was jailed in lieu of $2 million bail.
The death of Officer Michael L. Briggs of the Manchester Police Department was announced by Elliot Hospital . Briggs, the first Manchester officer in 30 years to die in the line of duty, was shot shortly before his shift was to end at 3 a.m. He was responding to reports of shooting possibly connected to domestic violence.
Governor John Lynch of New Hampshire said ``the murder of a police officer strikes at the very heart and fabric of our society. And I expect the state will prosecute the person responsible for this heinous and cowardly crime to the fullest extent of the law." Killing a police officer is punishable by death in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire's attorney general, Kelly Ayotte, said she planned to seek a capital murder charge and death penalty. She said Briggs ``deserves our respect and he deserves the full protection of our laws." New Hampshire's last execution was in 1939.
Lynch ordered that US and state flags be flown at half-staff. About 100 officers saluted Briggs as the flag was lowered at departmental headquarters, which is draped in black bunting.
``Our hearts are broken by the loss of Michael," Briggs's family said in a statement. ``He was a wonderful son, husband, father, brother, and friend who impacted our lives in a way that will be greatly missed. "
Before Briggs's death, more than 30 grim-faced officers from Manchester and Boston crowded a hearing room at Dorchester District Court for the 12:30 p.m. arraignment of Michael Addison, the suspected shooter.
Addison surrendered to Boston police Monday evening.
At a news conference yesterday, authorities said they found the handgun used to kill Briggs near the scene. Police Chief John Jaskolka said Briggs's gun was still in its holster, but two other officers returned fire .
Judge Michael Bolden set bail at $2 million and ordered Addison held for a Nov. 10 rendition hearing after the 26-year-old suspect told his court-appointed lawyer that he would not voluntarily return to New Hampshire to face charges in the Briggs shooting and two other incidents involving firearms in which he was sought by New Hampshire authorities.
In an unusual move, Addison did not enter the glassed-in defendant's booth, but stood behind an open door to the booth where he could hear the proceedings without being seen by the police officers, family members, spectators, and news reporters who filled the courtroom. Tia Wilson , 26, a cousin of the suspect, said Addison's father, brother, and another cousin were present.
Assistant District Attorney David E. Meier , who had asked that bail be set at $5 million, told the judge that New Hampshire investigators believe Addison was involved in the armed robbery of a Hudson convenience store and in an armed dispute in Manchester early Sunday as well as in the Briggs shooting.
In addition, Meier said, Addison's record as a juvenile and young adult in Roxbury contains 16 charges. Addison was committed to Department of Youth Services custody in 1997 for a firearms-related assault, Meier said.
Wilson, Addison's cousin, told a throng of journalists on the courthouse steps yesterday that she and other family members were supporting Addison because ``He's still innocent until proven guilty. He's a good person. "
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report. Charles A. Radin can be reached at radin@globe.com.
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