Trooper asks to have his case dismissed
Published: February 5, 2009
BARNSTABLE, Mass. - A Massachusetts state trooper facing charges after his 12-year-old son gained access to his unloaded service gun wants his case dismissed based on a U.S. Supreme Court
ruling.
Lt. Richard Bolduc appeared in Barnstable District Court on Wednesday for a hearing on a charge of improperly storing a gun.
The 51-year-old trooper allegedly left his sidearm in an unlocked drawer in his Sandwich home. Police say his son found the weapon, pointed it at a 5-year-old neighbor and pulled the trigger.
The Cape Cod Times reports Bolduc’s lawyer, Daniel O’Malley, argued the charge should be dismissed based on the Supreme Court’s ruling that found a Washington D.C. handgun ban unconstitutional.
The ruling also said requiring trigger locks hinders a person’s right to self defense.
Reader Reactions
I can see what I am dealing with; a cranky old man who condones violence and lacks the concern for the safety of others. Just like the “cop” that lacks the concern for the safety of others as well, by putting children in harms way… Go vent somewhere else spell checker boy. And stay on topic from this point on!
First of all, disserved is spelled “deserved”. I can see what I’m dealing with here, another illiterate cop basher. If you’re from RI, maybe you can cash in on the illegal immigration college fund that Diaz wants all of us legal americans to finance.
I give “credit” where “credit” is dissevered, it won’t be happening here…
Give the guy a little credit. At least he had the presence of mind to unload the weapon, and hide the shells. Every cop story that comes in the news gets every cop hater to come out and bash them. Why did the kid take the weapon? I didn’t see any report from the neighbor why the kid pointed the gun at him or why he went into his house for the weapon. Maybe you should interview the neighbor and print that story. Who you gonna call when you’re laying on the floor of your home with a hole in you because you couldn’t get the trigger unlocked?
hey “unknown” I bet if it was your 5 year old son, I bet you would have different views on this matter…
I THINK WE ALL HAVE FORGOTTEN THE WORD “ACCIDENT” AND ALL JUST WANT TO CRUCIFY EVERYONE THAT MAKES MISTAKES AS HORRIBLE AND TRAGIC AS IT IS PEOPLE DON’T DO THESE THINGS INTENTIONALLY
I’m surprised the parents of the 5 year old haven’t filed a civil suit against the trooper, and the State of MA for that matter…or have they?
Obviously this trooper had a “lapse in thought” when he left his weapon in an unlocked, easy to get to desk drawer. he’s very lucky that he didn’t forget to unload the weapon. The public can’t afford to have people in his position have “lapses in thought or judgement”. I hope he is no longer on the job.
Yes, because pointing a gun at a 5-year-old is definitely self defense….ugh.
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