By Guy Page
Most of the crime coverage in the Chronicle is at the police/arrest level. Covering cases as they proceed through the courts is slow and time-consuming. We cover what we can.
Once in a while – actually, twice in recent months – we’ve been contacted by people charged with crimes published in the VDC, asking that we also report that the charges have been dismissed, expunged or sealed in their favor. For example:
Michoni Campbell of Detroit, MI was charged by Burlington police with possession of cocaine and methamphetamines and conspiracy to sell fentanyl. VDC covered the Burlington police version of the bust here.
In January of this year, Superior Court Judge John Pacht ordered his record be sealed for one or more of these three reasons: “the court did not find probable cause, or the charge was dismissed without prejudice, or no party objected to sealing the criminal history record, or the Court has found that the interests of justice favor sealing.”
In August, VDC received this email from Campbell: “While I understand the role of public reporting, I was not convicted in this matter, and the case has since been dismissed and sealed.
“The continued availability of this article online has caused significant personal and professional hardship. It affects employment opportunities, community standing, and personal well-being, despite the fact that the legal system has cleared me of wrongdoing.
“I kindly ask that you consider removing the article, or at least updating it to reflect the dismissal and closure of the case. Doing so would allow me the opportunity to move forward without the ongoing stigma of a past accusation that no longer holds relevance.”
VDC didn’t expunge the original news story, but we did update it with the new information.
In another case, charges of choking his mother were dismissed against a Westminster man.
Cole Williams, 20, allegedly attempted to strangle his mother at their home in September, 2024. The charges were later dismissed. In a letter to VDC, Williams’ mother said the Burr and Burton grad has suffered severe mental and emotional problems following a June, 2023 motorcycle accident.
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Categories: Police Reports, Uncategorized
CASE DISMISSED?????? Does this story make any since. Just sounds like a cover up of something that they do not want known. Why would you seal this case??????
Will we show men the same consideration? Ask Norm, what was he brought through?
There is merit to what she says, there are also crimes covered up too.
My hunch is, wait another 6 months, and we’ll know for sure, because drug dealers have a hard time changing their spots.
Oh, when people speak of restorative justice, they also have to live by their own standards, if the people are not restored, there is no justice. Letting criminals run scott free, is not social justice, it is aiding and abetting criminal activity.
If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.
Seemed easy enough to process but a couple of decades ago. Not today. The concept eludes many.
Innocent until proven guilty in the USA. But that type of headline doesn’t pay the bills.
I may be missing something, but wouldn’t someone like a possible employer be able to seek such information. Also, it isn’t uncommon for questions to be asked about any prior criminal activity. I guess I’m just in awe about all this.
I have mountains more trust in the validity and justification for any criminal charges filed by the Burlington Police than I have for any subsequent treatment of the case by any Vermont judge or prosecutor.