Officer Eric Desmarais and Officer Warren Tanner are commended for their exceptional efforts and each are hereby presented with a Certificate of Recognition.
Officer Eric Desmarais and Officer Warren Tanner comprise the Manchester Police Department’s Sexual Offender Compliance Unit. As the Unit falls under the supervision of the Legal Division, the two officers have received minimal training in juvenile court prosecution and are often tasked with performing the duties of the juvenile prosecutor when the regularly assigned prosecuting officer is out on vacation or sick leave.
In July 2017, a large fight, with a gunshot being fired, occurred at the Skate Park on Maple Street. From witness statements and viewing videos, five juvenile offenders and two adult offenders were identified. The juveniles were petitioned to court for a variety of charges to include Felony Riot, Second Degree Assault, and Simple Assault.
Two of the juvenile cases have gone to trial. Officer Desmarais prosecuted the first trial, which resulted in True or guilty findings on two of the three petitions before the court. The third petition was unable to be proven due to an uncooperative, missing victim.
The second case was prosecuted by Officer Tanner, who was also able to get True or guilty findings on two of the four petitions before the court. Two petitions were withdrawn, due to a missing victim.
To prepare for these two trials Officer Desmarais and Officer Tanner had to first review the petitions and arraign the juvenile. They then set up for trial, which includes subpoenaing all necessary witnesses and securing and viewing necessary evidence. Copies of all paperwork and evidence must be provided to the defense attorney within ten days of receiving a discovery request.
This is the process for all adjudications for juvenile court. Due to the absence of the assigned juvenile prosecutor since July 2017, these two officers have had to appear before the court for 230 juvenile cases,