Cape & Islands News

Nantucket Sheriff released after arraigment yesterday

Sheriff pleads innocent, released
Had violated his wife's reatraining order Friday

Adding ever more luster to a career out of the old Western movies, Nantucket's "cowboy" County Sheriff Richard Bretschneider pleaded not guilty to a charge of violating a restraining order that was taken out against him by his wife.

Bretschneider was arraigned yesterday morning in Nantucket District Court. He had been arrested Friday after allegedly violating the "no contact" provision of the restraining order.The sheriff did not appear in court where lawyer, James Merberg of Boston, entered a not guilty plea for his client.

Judge W. James O'Neill reminded Bretschneider that his weapons, previously seized by police, would remain confiscated, and that the island's cheif law enforcement officer was due back in court April 10.

His estranged wife,Elizabeth Bretschneider, did not appear. She had filed for a divorce in February when she also filed an affidavit for an abuse prevention order, saying she feared for her safety.

What he violated Friday

A police report said the sheriff followed his wife into the home of a female friend last Tuesday, and eventually left without incident.

Bretschneider won re-election over three opponents in 2004, though he was accused of violating state ethics rules when he wore his uniform during a television interview. The state Ethics Commission prohibits using public resources, including uniforms, for political or private purposes.

Last year, Bretschneider agreed to forfeit $15,000 of his own money to the state for violating campaign finance law in 2004, according to documents from the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. The agency suspended half of the payment pending compliance with campaign finance law in his next election. Read the beprevious stories about the sheriff below.

 The contentious career of Nantucket's "Cowboy" Sheriff

Nantucket's sheriff has always been controversial, but his career took on a new twist a week ago when he was given a restraining order to stay away from his wife who filed an affidavit with the court saying that she was seeking the restraining order because she feared for her safety.

Yesterday the sheriff violated that order and was arrested. A Google search this morning brought these recent stories about his career. They are linked here, and you can comment below.  The sheriff can be reached at  (508) 228-7263 , and by email at sheriff@nantucket.net.

Nantucket sheriff arrested for violating restraining order
Boston Globe, United States - Nantucket County Sheriff Richard Bretschneider was arrested for allegedly violating a restraining order that was taken out against him by his wife....