HYDE PARK — Lamoille County Sheriff Roger Marcoux announced Wednesday that a deputy has been placed on administrative leave after engaging in “inappropriate conversations” with a murder suspect, resulting in a plea agreement rather than a trial.
According to a statement released by the sheriff’s department, Deputy Sheriff Christopher Turner had improper communications with murder suspect Seth Brunell while transporting him to trial on April 16.
The incident prompted Brunell’s defense team to raise objections and seek a mistrial, ultimately leading to a plea agreement between prosecution and defense.
“As soon as I learned that Deputy Turner engaged in these inappropriate conversations, I placed him on administrative leave, and initiated a thorough and impartial investigation into his conduct,” Sheriff Marcoux said in the statement.
Marcoux called the deputy’s conduct “unacceptable” and “not consistent with the standards” to which he holds his department.
“I am ultimately responsible for the conduct of my deputies, and I sincerely apologize to all who were impacted by Mr. Brunell’s crimes,” the sheriff added.
The matter has been referred to Chief James Pontbriand of the Vermont Regional Internal Investigations Team.
The sheriff’s department indicated it will not issue further statements until the investigation is complete.
