Good behavior, TASING factor into plea agreement

September 30, 2008
Seacoast Online

PORTSMOUTH (New Hampshire) — A Maine man accused of threateningly to kill local police officers while in possession of marijuana was fined and given a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to reduced charges Tuesday.

Richard Lathrop, 22, of 73 Betty Welch Road, Kittery, pleaded guilty to a charge of resisting arrest as part of a plea deal that dismissed counts of drug possession and disorderly conduct.

When asked by Judge Sawako Gardner if he thought the deal was satisfactory, prosecutor Corey MacDonald said arresting officers agreed with the deal because Lathrop has no prior criminal history and was hit with a Taser by officers at the scene.

Lathrop was arrested July 6 at 1:20 a.m. at the scene of a fight at 80 Hanover St.

"It’s probably not a good idea to be out past midnight," the judge told him. "Next time if you are in this kind of situation, just walk away."

In exchange for his plea, Lathrop was given a 90-day jail sentence with all of it suspended pending his good behavior for one year. He was also fined $500, with half suspended pending the same good behavior.