Update: Proulx gets 1-year probation for reckless driving
12:33 PM Thu, Apr 30, 2009 | Permalink
Email
 |
 |
Projo 7 to 7 News BlogTaking the news pulse of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, by Providence Journal and projo.com staff, from 7 to 7, every business day |
|
Get the 7 to 7 on your mobile at www.projo.com. Twitter: projo | RSS | Email alerts
« Judge dismisses R.I. child advocate's suit against DCYF |
Main
| Update: Judge mulls new political party's ballot query »
By Talia Buford PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A Smithfield man convicted of reckless driving in March was sentenced Thursday to one year probation, one year suspended in a case stemming from an incident involving a Rhode Island state trooper. As a condition of probation, James D. Proulx, 38, is not allowed to drive for a year. Proulx's license was suspended for the mandatory period of three months, and a no-contact order was entered preventing him from having any contact with Rhode Island State Trooper Brendan Doyle, whom he had been accused of assaulting. A jury had cleared Proulx in March of the assault charge. 
Journal photo/ Kathy Borchers
James D. Proulx listens to defense attorney William Dimitri giving his recommendations to the judge before the sentencing. At right is his other attorney, Michael Lepizzera.
Providence County Superior Court Judge Gilbert Indeglia handed down the sentence for the reckless driving conviction. After seeing Proulx driving recklessly and nearly hitting pedestrians on Pine Street shortly after 2 a.m. on June 16, 2007, Doyle, who was off duty, ran after Proulx's car and ordered him to stop. Proulx punched Doyle in the face, which knocked the trooper backward and cracked his skull on the pavement. Doyle nearly died from a severe brain injury. He recovered a year later and returned to duty. Proulx testified that he didn't believe Doyle was a trooper, and the jury found him not guilty of assault. Assistant Attorney General Stacey Veroni implored Indeglia to consider the consequences of Proulx's actions, since he couldn't consider Proulx's acquittal. The state was requesting Proulx receive the maximum sentence for reckless driving - 1 year to serve and 3 months loss of license. "We're not asking you to punish him for his acquittal," she said. "We're asking that you not sentence the defendant in a vacuum without consideration of the facts and circumstances." The state's request confused defense attorney William Dimitri, he told the court. "That punch was not the result of James Proulx's driving," Dimitri said, though he admitted the driving may have provoked Doyle's decision to chase after Proulx car and engage in the ensuing argument. The original version of this story, "Proulx to be sentenced on reckless driving charge," was posted at 9:49 a.m. 
|
Tags 
New comments
New photos
New posts
Projo blogs
Archives
Leave a comment
Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.