The trial of two police chiefs accused of plotting to sell information about the surrogate mother of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s twin girls got under way in Ohio.
Martins Ferry Chief Barry Carpenter entered Michelle Ross’s home but did not steal anything, attorney Dennis McNamara said during the opening arguments in Belmont County court.
Carpenter and Police Chief Chad Dojack from nearby Bridgeport are accused of scheming to sell
items from the home to celebrity photographers.
Carpenter admitted he joked with paparazzi about snooping on Ross to find items he might sell to them. Carpenter faces several felony charges, including burglary, receiving stolen property
and theft in office. The two officers remain suspended from duty.
Special Prosecutor T. Shawn Hervey has said that Carpenter entered Ross’s home in May, removed items and attempted to sell them to photographers.
Ross gave birth to twin girls on June 22 at an Ohio hospital.
The trial of two police chiefs accused of plotting to sell information about the surrogate mother of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s twin girls got underway in Ohio.
Martins Ferry Chief Barry Carpenter entered Michelle Ross’s home but did not steal anything, attorney Dennis McNamara said during the opening arguments in Belmont County court.
Carpenter and Police Chief Chad Dojack from nearby Bridgeport are accused of scheming to sell items from the eastern Ohio home to celebrity photographers.
Assistant Attorney General Emily Lauvey told jurors that Carpenter used his position as chief to exploit someone else’s most personal and intimate privacy.
Carpenter faces several felony charges, including burglary, receiving stolen property and theft in office. He could face 21 1/2 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Special Prosecutor T. Shawn Hervey has said that Carpenter entered Ross’ home in May, removed items that identified her as the surrogate mother, and attempted to sell them to photographers. Ross gave birth to twins June 22 at an Ohio hospital.
Carpenter also is accused of using his office to commit the crimes, destroying evidence and illegally using a law enforcement computer system, Hervey said.
During jury selection earlier Monday, prosecutors said Ross, two photographers, the county prosecutor and several others are expected to testify during the trial.
Judge John M. Solovan II said he expects the case will go to the jury by the end of the week.
Dojack faces counts of complicity to burglary and complicity to receiving stolen property. His trial is set for January.
November 18th, 2009 at 10:21 am
I was not even aware that Sarah’s Jessica Parkers’ twins are from a surrogate mother. Shame on the police chiefs who tried to sell information on it.