Since many of you were wanting to see the whole article, here it is. Thanks!
Saying he wanted to get counseling on his own, Stephen Harwood was granted both permission and the judges blessing to get some help.
Harwood made his initial appearance in District Court Tuesday before Judge Kim Christopher on charges of intimidation, failure to register as a violent offender and privacy in communications.
The defendant was represented by public defender Noel Larivee.
Larrivee told Judge Christopher that his client was prepared to enroll in counseling on his own whether ordered to or not by the court. He asked for an own recognizance release for his client with a promise that he would return after treatment to face the charges.
County Attorney Coleen Magera raised a technical question, of whether or not the defendant could voluntarily seek treatment in a state facility.
Judge Christopher jumped in to say she felt uncomfortable leaving the defendant in the jail when he was ready for counseling and said she would sign an order speeding up the process. I dont want to be responsible for his health in jail,, said the judge.
Magera said there were two ways to look at the matter, as a civil matter for treatment or as a forensic commitment as a matter for the criminal case.
Christopher said she would sign an order for treatment if the County Attorneys office would prepare one.
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