Peabody woman gets probation for burglary

SALEM – A 30-year-old Peabody woman who admitted being involved in a house break in Lawrence in 2009 was placed on probation for two years and ordered to pay $3,670 in restitution.Jenny Connolly, of 7 Upham St., Peabody, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Salem Superior Court to charges of breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony and two counts of larceny of property over $250 before Judge Timothy Q. Feeley.Connolly was placed on probation for two years and ordered to complete a parenting program, be evaluated for mental health and drug treatment and counseling as deemed necessary, remain drug free with random screens and must comply with all medicine requirements.The judge followed the recommendation proposed by Assistant District Attorney Greg A. Friedholm and defense lawyer Robert D. Lewin, saying the sentence was “fair and appropriate.”Connolly admitted she was involved in a house break with two other male accomplices at a home on Hillside Avenue in Lawrence on July 21, 2009 where a computer, television, jewelry, video games and a DVD player were stolen.Friedholm said Connolly was a cooperating witness for the state in the case against the other individuals charged; John Cook, 38, of Lowell, who died before trial and the other person, Jacob E. Palo, 34, also of Lowell, who was acquitted following a jury trial.In asking the judge to accept the plea negotiations, Lewin told Feeley that his client lives in Peabody, attended Peabody schools, does not work, is totally disabled due to her mental illness and has had family support from her parents who have always stood by her.Lewin said she was born in South Korea, was adopted along with her twin sister and was the “perfect” child growing up until she reached the age of 16, when she tried to commit suicide and was diagnosed as bi-polar with a borderline multiple personality disorder. That disorder, he said, has plagued her for 14-years. She has been in numerous mental facilities and sometimes lived on the streets and in homes, Lewin said.Feeley agreed to retain jurisdiction over the case while he is sitting in Salem Superior Court.Connolly was indicted by a grand jury in December of 2009 and has been free on her own personal recognizance since being arraigned awaiting trial.