- A Jeffersonville man who claims he was exercising his
free-speech rights is denying criminal charges related to an alleged confrontation
with supporters of Barack Obama in Burlington.
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- Brian Albarelli, 27, pleaded not guilty to charges of
disorderly conduct and resisting arrest following clashes with volunteers
for the Democratic presidential candidate who were working Sept. 20 and
21 at a table on Church Street, according to records at Vermont District
Court in Burlington.
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- Volunteers called police because Albarelli was yelling,
using abusive language, invading people's personal space and refusing to
leave, according to a sworn account of events written by Burlington Police
Officer Carolynne Erwin.
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- Two workers felt threatened and "really scared for
their safety," the officer wrote. One of the women told police she
has "dealt with many people who are annoying but this was different,"
according to Erwin's affidavit.
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- Albarelli left at the police's request Sept. 20.
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- Another disagreement escalated the following day, though.
When Erwin arrived she saw Albarelli standing only inches from another
man while saying he wasn't yelling, according to the affidavit. Erwin told
Albarelli she intended to cite him for disorderly conduct, but he refused
to identify himself and then ran off, the officer wrote. Police gave chase
and tackled him four blocks away.
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- Albarelli refused to be fingerprinted or photographed
and was jailed overnight for lack of $500 bail, according to court papers.
At Albarelli's arraignment the next day, Judge Ben Joseph ordered the suspect
released on conditions, including a ban on entering the Church Street Marketplace.
Joseph also directed Albarelli to undergo a mental-health evaluation, according
to court records.
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- In a brief interview Tuesday, Albarelli said he was merely
trying to discuss policy with the campaign workers, and they objected to
his criticism and stifled his right to legitimate dissent.
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- "I was just basically talking about Barack Obama
and some of his advisers," Albarelli said.
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- The volunteers told police Albarelli "started to
talk continually about Obama and Israel and someone killing his family,"
Erwin wrote.
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- A student at Vermont Technical College in Williston,
Albarelli decided to act as his own attorney. His next court appearance
is scheduled for Oct. 24. Conviction on both charges, which are misdemeanors,
carries up to one year and 60 days in prison and $1,000 in fines.
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- Contact Adam Silverman at 660-1854 or asilverm@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com.
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