Former Addison County Sheriff Peter Newton, accused of sexually assaulting and unlawfully restraining a woman, will go on trial in February, according to an agreement reached by lawyers in the case on Tuesday.
Newton pleaded not guilty to those felony offenses and to a misdemeanor count of domestic assault in June 2022. Charging documents allege that in February 2022, Newton sexually assaulted a woman multiple times while he knew she was intoxicated and couldn’t give consent.
During Tuesday’s brief hearing in Chittenden County Superior criminal court in Burlington, Judge Alison Arms agreed with Newton’s defense lawyer and the prosecution to be trial-ready by February, two years after the alleged offenses occurred. December deadlines involving evidence in the case were also nailed down.
“Is that all accurate, Mr. Sawyer?” Arms asked defense attorney Jason Sawyer as they worked through trial preparation details.
“That’s what we submitted,” he replied. “We’ve been getting through transcripts, making transcripts, getting through them; there’s a fair amount of discovery.”
He also said he has been working well with the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, which is prosecuting the case.
Assistant Attorney General Sophie Stratton said during Tuesday’s hearing that she concurred with the defense attorney on the schedule and process going forward.
“I agree with everything attorney Sawyer said, your honor,” Stratton added.
Newton attended the hearing via video, as did the attorneys, but did not speak during the hearing.
The case is being heard in Chittenden County and prosecuted by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office to prevent any potential conflict that could arise had the case been heard in Addison County or handled by that county’s prosecuting office.
Newton said he would not run for a third term as state police investigated the allegations against him. After he was charged with the criminal offenses in June 2022, Newton refused to step down until his term ended Jan. 31, 2023, despite calls for him to resign, including from Gov. Phil Scott. He has been free on conditions, including that he not possess any firearms.
If convicted of the charges against him, Newton faces up to life in prison.
