FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2011
VOL. 20 NO. 62
BERLIN, N.H.
752-5858
FREE
AG says 2009 home invasion shooting justified BY MELISSA GRIMA THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN — The victim of a 2009 home invasion was officially cleared by the Attorney General’s Office for fatally shooting one of the armed gunmen who broke in and assaulted him. In a release issued on June 30, the AG’s office concluded that “Robert Burrill’s use of deadly force was lawfully justified.” Burrill and his girlfriend Samantha Burns, were in their
Third Avenue apartment on Nov. 25, when three men burst into the residence demanding drugs, electronics and money. Nathaniel Stringfield, 23, of Berlin was killed in the incident, while his accomplice Christhian Badillo, 28, of Berlin was seriously wounded. The third man, Dennis Ford, 20, also of Berlin, was reportedly unarmed when they entered the home, but authorities believe he picked up a gun that had been dropped by Badillo when he was shot
by Burrill and fired shots that additionally injured Badillo. According to statements and evidence, at least two of the men were armed, although Stringfield is believed to have been wielding a BB gun that resembled a real firearm. That BB gun was the only weapon, other than Burrill’s, recovered by police , according to the AG’s office. Stringfield was shot fatally, once in the back. Badillo was shot twice in the head and once in the chest. Police believe that Burrill fired only two rounds given the forensic evidence recovered. Burrill said he was relieved that the
final report has been released and is happy he was cleared of any wrongdoing. “It feels good to know it’s finally out and it’s pretty much over,” he said. “I’ve been waiting for this thing to finally be done. Burrill said the events from that night have had a ripple effect in his life. “It’s been hard on my family,” he said, noting that they remain in Berlin and are fearful since one of the perpetrators remained free. “There is still the Badillo thing,” he said. “I know Ford is doing his time and, of course, Stringfield paid the ultimate price,” Burrill said, noting that see SHOOTING page 6
Group envisions the future of downtown BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
The grand opening for Winterland Marketplace took place on June 30 welcoming everyone to visit the restored, historic building where various businesses are located. The staff for PersonalTouch includes April Lamontagne, Kim Kilbride, Marie Dubey, Vaginia Morgan, and Heather Singer. Better Buildings is represented by Cimbria Badenhausen, community manager, and Bob Tortorise. Staff member Gloria Sinibaldi represents Hotbodz for Debbie Davis, owner of Hotbodz. Owner, Scott Gregory, represents Scene St. and Tea Birds Cafe (JENNIFER ST. AMANT PHOTO).
Lost and Found; Hikers on Ice Gulch trail in Randolph Two local hikers were rescued on the Ice Gulch trail in Randolph shortly after midnight Thursday morning. Fish and Game Conservation Officer Glen Lucas said Glen Crystal Larose, 25, and Richard King, 26, of Berlin had done some research indicating the hike took an average of four hours to complete. The pair started on the trail around noon Wednesday, expecting to return at about 4 p.m. When the two had reached mile four of the six mile trek as night was setting in, they realized they had made a mistake and called for help. The pair did not have flashlight or headlights
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with them. At around 12:45 a.m. the hikers were found by members of the Randolph Mountain Club and helped down the trail. Lucas said the hikers suffered no injuries other than embarrassment. The Fish and Game officer said the incident is another reminder for hikers to bring all equipment necessary for hiking, day or night. On an average summer in Coos County, he said, there are approximately five unprepared hiking parties who are overwhelmed by darkness and have to be retrieve by officials. Being responsible makes the day on the trail more enjoyable and safe, Lucas concluded.
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164 Main Street, Berlin • 752-1800
BERLIN –Imagine a downtown with lots of shops and cafes, with daily activities and nighttime entertainment. People could dine outdoors while listening to live music or shop for men’s clothing at one of the many busy stores. Approximately 50 people shared their vision for the downtown Wednesday at the first of two listening session for the downtown action strategy project called Moving Downtown Forward. The city and Berlin Main Street Program have garnered over $80,000 to hire a team of consultants to develop an action plan to revitalize the downtown. Consultants Jay Poulin of HEB
Engineering, Stuart Arnett of Arnett Developing Group, and landscape architect and planner John Wacker stressed they are not interested in putting together another study of the downtown. “We really want to develop an action plan,” said Poulin. The team noted they are combining both downtown design with an economic study – an approach they said has not been done before in the state. Wacker said the downtown needs an economic boost to get people downtown and to fill up the vacant buildings. “There’s a lot to work with here,” Arnett noted. For the purposes of the project, the see DOWNTOWN page 8
Androscoggin headwaters project completes first phase BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
ERROL -- The first phase of a multi-phase project to protect the headwaters of the Androscoggin River is completed with the addition of just under 3,000 acres to the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge. Last month, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen announced the project had been awarded $2.24 million in federal
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Land and Water Conservation funds. With $1 million already awarded from the federal Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, the purchase was completed Wednesday. The 2,920 acres includes four undeveloped ponds, many stream tributaries, and 4.5 miles of road frontage along Route 16. The property contains nesting loons, osprey, and a brook see REFUGE page 11
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