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Chase Has Some Statements Suppressed
Email this to a friend.James Jardine, Staff Writer, Caledonian-Record
Christopher Chase, 28, of Guildhall, who is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend, Sara Bragdon, 24, of Guildhall, will have certain statements he made to New York state police suppressed.
A stipulation signed by Chase's defense attorney, David Sleigh of St. Johnsbury, and Essex County State's Attorney Vincent Illuzzi, asks that the Essex District Court should grant Sleigh's motion to suppress as it relates to statements made by Chase in response to police questioning while in custody in New York state.
The stipulation includes statements made by Chase in a New York police cruiser as well as subsequent oral and written statements obtained from Chase at the state police barracks in Rochester.
Sleigh, in a Feb. 12 memorandum included in his motion to dismiss, states Chase was arrested in New York state at the request of Vermont State Police who spoke to Chase on a cell phone Chase was using and knew he was in New York state. Chase was using a cell phone that belonged to the murder victim, according to Sleigh's memorandum.
Once in custody, New York police read him his Miranda rights to an attorney as well as his right to remain silent. When asked by New York police if he wanted to waive his rights and speak to them, Chase said, "I already told the other cops what happened."
In cell phone conversations between Chase and Vermont State Police, Chase had already made potentially incriminating statements. Sleigh argues New York police never obtained a written or recorded waiver from Chase waiving his right against self incrimination.
The New York State Police questioned Chase at a police barracks and obtained oral and written statements from him. His statements made following his arrest by New York police will be suppressed.
Statements made by Chase to the Vermont state police are considered voluntary statements made when he was not in police custody. Those statements may be offered as evidence.
Chase allegedly shot Bragdon on or about Aug. 24, 2008. Police say he fled the murder scene and began driving toward New York in Bragdon's car. He used his cell phone to contact his mother, who subsequently contacted Littleton police. Littleton police contacted Vermont State Police and asked troopers to go to the couple's residence on Fellows Road in Guildhall. Police found Bragdon's body 10:30 a.m. Aug. 24.
State police returned Chase to Vermont from Rochester, N.Y. He was arraigned in Essex County District Court in Guildhall Sept. 10 on a charge of second-degree murder.
Following Chase's arraignment on second-degree murder, Illuzzi upgraded the charge against Chase to first-degree murder a month later. Chase was arraigned on the new charge and pleaded not guilty.
The first-degree murder charge states Chase, "Willfully, deliberately with premeditation and with the intent to kill" murdered Bragdon.
When asked, Sleigh said it is possible the suppression of Chase's oral and written statements made to New York police may make it more difficult for the state to prove premeditation.
Illuzzi declined to comment about the stipulation.