Post by Admin on Dec 29, 2003 13:47:34 GMT -5
Norwich student receives probation: Cadet supplied alcohol to student who died in fall
November 22, 2003
(from the Top Story section)
STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
BARRE - A former Norwich University cadet was sentenced Friday to two years of probation on charges that he bought alcohol for an underclassman who died after falling out of the window of his fourth-floor dormitory room last spring.
Matthew E. Chittick, 22, of Ipswich, Mass., changed his plea from innocent to no contest on Friday. Chittick is accused of buying a bottle of liqueur for freshman Brendan MacDonald on April 24.
According to court records, MacDonald, 19, of Norwell, Mass., was fatally injured when he fell out the window after partying for several hours in Chittick's dorm room.
An autopsy revealed his blood-alcohol content at the time was 0.16 percent, records stated.
Chittick, who was a junior at Norwich last year and played lacrosse with MacDonald, was not charged in connection with the death of his teammate.
In an earlier report, Washington County State's Attorney Terry Trono said he would not press additional charges against Chittick because he does not believe there was malicious intent.
MacDonald's parents Robert and Lou Ellen MacDonald, have said they are satisfied with the decision not to hold Chittick legally accountable for their son's death. The school has a "no alcohol" policy, except for a few specific events, Norwich President Richard Schneider said at a press conference the day MacDonald died. Typical consequences for possessing or consuming alcohol are campus confinement for the first offense, and possible dismissal for subsequent offenses.
On Friday, Chittick was given a suspended sentence of six months to two years in prison on charges of furnishing alcohol to a minor. As part of his probation he is barred from purchasing or possessing alcohol and must speak at Norwich and other Vermont colleges about alcohol use.
November 22, 2003
(from the Top Story section)
STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
BARRE - A former Norwich University cadet was sentenced Friday to two years of probation on charges that he bought alcohol for an underclassman who died after falling out of the window of his fourth-floor dormitory room last spring.
Matthew E. Chittick, 22, of Ipswich, Mass., changed his plea from innocent to no contest on Friday. Chittick is accused of buying a bottle of liqueur for freshman Brendan MacDonald on April 24.
According to court records, MacDonald, 19, of Norwell, Mass., was fatally injured when he fell out the window after partying for several hours in Chittick's dorm room.
An autopsy revealed his blood-alcohol content at the time was 0.16 percent, records stated.
Chittick, who was a junior at Norwich last year and played lacrosse with MacDonald, was not charged in connection with the death of his teammate.
In an earlier report, Washington County State's Attorney Terry Trono said he would not press additional charges against Chittick because he does not believe there was malicious intent.
MacDonald's parents Robert and Lou Ellen MacDonald, have said they are satisfied with the decision not to hold Chittick legally accountable for their son's death. The school has a "no alcohol" policy, except for a few specific events, Norwich President Richard Schneider said at a press conference the day MacDonald died. Typical consequences for possessing or consuming alcohol are campus confinement for the first offense, and possible dismissal for subsequent offenses.
On Friday, Chittick was given a suspended sentence of six months to two years in prison on charges of furnishing alcohol to a minor. As part of his probation he is barred from purchasing or possessing alcohol and must speak at Norwich and other Vermont colleges about alcohol use.