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Briarcrest case headed to trial
LACONIA — Following a brief hearing in Belknap County Superior Court yesterday, the dispute over the future ownership of Briarcrest Estates appears headed for trial in March. The dispute hinges on a statute enacted in 1987 that requires owners of manufactured housing parks, upon receiving an offer to purchase their park, to “consider any offer received from the tenants or a tenants’ association” and to “negotiate in good faith with the tenants concerning a potential see BCREST page 11
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Keenan resigns police chief post Admits to having affair with subordinate at GPD but says he didn’t violate town policy or his contract BY GAIL OBER
THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
GILFORD — In a prepared statement read to selectmen and a room full of supporters, including his family, Police Chief Kevin Keenan resigned last night. Former Chief John Markland as well as a number of town employees were there in support. The only officer in the room during his resignation was Acting Chief James Leach, although many had been
there earlier for the swearing in ceremony of a new officer. Keenan’s resignation brings to a close a trying chapter in the recent history of the Police Department that lasted 10 weeks, saw two officers placed on paid leave, and cost the town about $80,000 in salary and legal expenses. “The Town of Gilford has to move on. My wife and I need to move on. Where our relationship will take us in the future
is our business, and our business alone,” Keenan said. Appointed chief about two years ago, Keenan had been a police officer for 20 years in Gilford, rising through the ranks to become chief. Placed on paid administrative leave 10 weeks ago, Keenan admitted last night to having an affair with one of his subordinates. “She was and still is a good person,” see KEENAN page 3
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Gilford Police Chief Kevin Keenan speaks before the Board of Selectman last night at Town Hall. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Gail Ober)
Jury quickly declares Eric Grant to be not guilty BY GAIL OBER
THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
LACONIA — After about 30 minutes of deliberation, a Belknap County Superior Court jury has found countryband leader Eric Grant innocent of sexually assaulting his former niece when she was 10. Grant, the lead singer and namesake of the Eric Grant Band, hugged his attorney Emily McLaughlin as they both fought back tears when the foreman read the verdict.
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About 14 of his family and friends, who had been fixtures during the five days of testimony, stifled their jubilation while in the courtroom, many weeping and hugging each other as the verdict was read. The trial, that began at 10 a.m. on September 12, lasted five days. Closing arguments were yesterday morning and the jury began its deliberations at 11:40 a.m. At noon, they broke for lunch, and they announced they had reached a
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verdict by 1:05. After meeting in a private room with his supporters and family, Grant and McLaughlin sat down and spoke with reporters. He said that since the first day he heard he had been accused and indicted he has always believed in telling the truth. “My mindset was that the truth will set me free,” Grant said. Grant had been accused of digitally raping his former niece
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when she was 10 and was with her family at a New Year’s Eve party in 2006 at Grant’s house. Grant’s ex-wife is the girl’s mother’s sister. The girl made her allegations in April of 2012 during a period of time in her life when she was seeing a therapist. The girl, now 17, testified that Grant put a hand in her pajamas and violated her with a finger for “a couple of minutes” while the two sat in a room crowded with relatives. see VERDICT page 10 64 Gilford East Drive Gilford 603.524-5366 GilfordTrueValue.com