[W]HITE RIVER JUNCTION — A 42-year-old Strafford man who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of an antidepressant has received a deferred sentence on a different misdemeanor charge.
Scott Pixley, who pleaded guilty to negligent operation in Windsor Superior Court this morning, won’t lose his driving privileges or face a fine but must keep a clean record for one year, including not being convicted of any driving violations, for the charge to be dropped. He must also take a driver safety course.
Windsor County State’s Attorney David Cahill declined to pursue the maximum penalties for a negligent operation charge, including up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Pixley’s legal troubles, stemming from the incident in July when he was pulled over by Hartford police for crossing the center line, have been chronicled by Valley News columnist Jim Kenyon.
Kenyon’s column in the Nov. 11 Sunday Valley News prompted an outpouring of support and offers of pro bono legal representation; Pixley was represented today by Lebanon attorney Charlie Buttrey.
Cahill announced last week that he would not pursue the DUI charge against Pixley but would charge him with negligent operation “based upon the allegation that he crossed the center line of the roadway on several occasions and by several feet.”
Cahill has since complained, to news outlets and in online comments sections, about the coverage of the case, including that it was being tried in “the court of Jim Kenyon.”
