The former chief lawyer prosecuting the murder case against Dezirae Sheldon’s stepfather is challenging incumbent Marc Brierre in a run for Rutland County State’s Attorney.
State’s attorney races are typically low profile in Vermont. Prosecutors decide which crimes to charge, how to prosecute them, how to help victims and which defendants to funnel into alternative justice programs such as opiate addiction treatment.
Rose Kennedy, 44, says she is qualified to take the county forward. Brierre says his track record in handling an exceptionally busy office shows he is qualified to keep his job.
Rutland County prosecutors have the highest caseloads in the state, more than 800 cases per attorney.
Brierre fired Kennedy, one of his four deputies, the day she filed her petition to run against him. Before that, she was the chief attorney prosecuting Dennis Duby, Dezirae’s stepfather who is charged with second degree murder for allegedly killing her by crushing her skull.
Working on the Dezirae case was part of what motivated Kennedy to run, she said.
“Working on her case made me realize just how passionate I am about those types of cases,” she said.
Kennedy started as a prosecutor in Chittenden County in 1999. There she also worked the special police team who investigates child assault and abuse cases.
“When we’re talking about protecting kids the answer always has to be that we can do better,” she said.
As she campaigns, Kennedy will also start a new job as an assistant attorney general in Rutland County, working for the Department for Children and Families’ district office in Rutland. Among other duties, she will litigate cases where the state seeks to terminate parental rights.
DCF cases are “the toughest cases to prosecute but they’re the most deserving of our time,” she said.
The general election is Nov. 4. Kennedy is running as a Democrat and Brierre as a Republican.
Brierre has been state’s attorney since he was appointed in 2009. Before that he was a deputy state’s attorney in Rutland since 1983.
“We have a good record of prosecuting the cases,” Brierre said. “I’m actually very proud of how the office is run and hope we can improve it.”
Brierre touted his office’s new rapid-intervention diversion program, which has screened more than 40 people and has 10 participants so far, he said.
Since 2011, the average caseload per attorney in Rutland has risen from around 725 per attorney to around 830, according to the state association of state’s attorneys. The statewide average is around 575. Kennedy said she doesn’t remember how many cases she was working.
The office deals with everything from DUIs to murders and is prosecuting seven homicides right now.
“As state’s attorney, I’ll be dedicated to thoroughly invest those crimes and vigorously prosecuting them,” Kennedy said.
Brierre said he has advocated for more staff to decrease caseload and expects to be able to hire a fifth deputy this year.
Some have criticized him recently for losing a case last month in which a woman was charged with attempting to murder a local police officer by using a knife to cut his throat. Part of the incident was caught on surveillance video. The officer suffered only minor injuries.
“I was disappointed with the verdict but I respect the jury process,” Brierre said, declining to comment further.
Kennedy is originally from Pittsburgh, Pa. Her husband, a Rutland native, is an attorney at Rutland Regional Medical Center. She has two children, ages 11 and 12.
Kennedy said she wants to help change the county’s reputation as a haven for drugs and crime.
“There’s a lot of good people doing a lot of good work here,” she said.
Brierre said he’s not worried about his challenge yet, although the campaign has just begun.
“A campaign always takes some time and effort away from the operation of the office,” he said.
