State’s Attorney Appointment Questioned

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A Vermont defense lawyer wants a judge to dismiss the charges against Roger Pion, and others being prosecuted by the Orleans County State’s Attorney. He says the prosecutor was improperly appointed.

Pion’s defense attorney, David Sleigh, says Governor Peter Shumlin didn’t have the authority to appoint Orleans County State’s attorney Alan Franklin to the case.

Former State’s Attorney Keith Flynn was re-elected in 2010. But before taking office for the new term, he was appointed commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

Sleigh tells the Caledonian-Record the county should have held a special election.

Franklin had no comment.

Pion is accused of driving a tractor over seven sheriffs’ department cruisers. His is the most notorious of the 20 cases Sleigh says should be dismissed.

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