Rutland County State’s Attorney Marc Brierre is facing a challenge from within his own office. Former deputy prosecutor Rose Kennedy announced today she is running for the job.
Kennedy worked as a deputy prosecutor in Rutland for the last 12 months. Before that, she spent seven years as a deputy state’s attorney in Chittenden County, specializing in sexual assault and child abuse cases.
The 44-year-old believes she can put her skills to good use as lead prosecutor in Rutland. “Those are cases that are usually the most difficult to prosecute,” she said. “But I love that case load and care deeply about those victims.”
She also says if elected she would try to strengthen communications between the prosecutor’s office and local law enforcement, which she believes would improve outcomes.
“As a prosecutor, if I believe someone is guilty and I have a certain theory of the case, then I have to be able to prove that and I have to convince those people. That’s my job,” said Kennedy. "It’s a hard job and I understand that and I know what it’s going to look like and I’m excited to take on that challenge.”
Incumbent Marc Briere has been criticized in recent weeks for not being able to convince a jury in a case involving a homeless woman who was caught on a surveillance video assaulting a Rutland City police officer with a knife. Brierre had charged the woman, Jennifer Berube with attempted second-degree murder. But a jury acquitted her of all charges.
Brierre has worked as a state prosecutor since 1983 and was appointed state’s attorney by Governor Jim Douglas five years ago. The 62-year-old did not respond to requests for comment for this story.
