Peabody cop’s trial under way

BOSTON – The long-awaited trial of Peabody Police Lt. Edward Bettencourt began in Suffolk Superior Court Friday morning, but without the presence of a jury of his peers.Bettencourt, who over a year ago was indicted on 21 counts of unauthorized access to a computer system by the Attorney General’s Office, opted to waive his right to a trial by jury and has instead placed his fate in the hands of one woman, Associate Justice Margaret R. Hinkle.The 55-year old lieutenant stands accused of accessing the confidential information of 20 Peabody Police officers and one Salem officer while on duty at the station during the wee hours of Christmas morning in 2004. It is said that Bettencourt used that information to look up Civil Service Exam scores on the Massachusetts Human Resources Division’s (HRD) Civil Service Applicant Web site.Prosecutor Ina Howard-Hogan claimed in her opening statement that Bettencourt “violated the trust” of his colleagues, citizens, and the law. She cited evidence of the numerous times that Bettencourt reportedly logged into two of the station’s computers to access the desired information.Bettencourt’s Defense Attorney Douglas Louison told the judge the police department’s faulty computer system and the HRD’s Web site “invited sloppy use.”He noted that at several points during the day of the incident and many days later, Bettencourt was logged onto the system long before and after he left the building, claiming that during which time, anyone could have accessed the confidential information.”He did not do it, had no interest to do it, and no reason to do it,” Louison said.Two witnesses were called to the stand, including a representative from the Human Resources Department, who spoke in great detail about the process and privacy surrounding the Civil Service Exam, and Police Chief Robert Champagne, who recalled police policy and procedures of 2004.After lengthy questioning by Attorney Louison, the Court was recessed until Monday. The trial is expected to take four full days, with a visit to the Peabody Police Station Wednesday morning by Associate Justice Hinkle, but it appears that things may drag out a bit longer.If convicted, Bettencourt could face a fine of $1,000 and/or up to 30 days in the house of correction per count, totaling $21,000 and nearly two years for all 21 counts.