Press Release: Plea Deal in High-Profile Murder Case Draws Community Outrage
Hinesburg, VT – A plea deal resulting in a mere ten years of probation for Seth Brunell, in the stabbing death of transgender woman Fern Feather, has sparked significant anger and disappointment across Vermont. Feather’s tragic death in April 2022 sent shockwaves throughout the community, igniting discussions on justice and equality.
The prosecution faced a series of blunders throughout the investigation and trial process, including a failure to disclose crucial evidence, specifically a 3D rendering of the crime scene, which led the defense to argue the case was mishandled from the start. More critically, a miscommunication during Brunell’s transport to court resulted in him being questioned without his attorney present, violating his constitutional rights.
Lamoille County State’s Attorney, Aliena Gerhard, expressed frustration over the mishandling of evidence, stating, “It’s devastating,” reflecting the sentiment shared by many affected by Feather’s death. The series of errors culminated in a plea deal, wherein Brunell pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter rather than facing a murder charge, a legal outcome regarded as a “slap on the wrist” by Feather’s family.
In a poignant statement, Feather’s mother, Lisa Barbeau, labeled the outcome a failure of justice, highlighting the profound impact of the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department’s negligence on the case. Her husband, Jean-Francois Barbeau, shared similar sentiments, condemning the sentence as a “pitiful parody of justice.”
As Vermont reckons with this disheartening verdict, the case stands as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by marginalized communities in seeking justice and the fundamental shortcomings in the handling of high-stakes legal processes. The community continues to grapple with the implications of this outcome as they advocate for a more just legal system.
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