CPS lawyer calls Grace’s documents request a ‘fishing expedition’
Attorney George King wants to read all about how police and school officials discussed his client.
The attorney for the man accused of erecting “scarecrows” around town criticizing schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter wants to read all about how police and school officials discussed his client.
A school district lawyer calls that “a general fishing expedition.”
John Grace, who had clashed with the schools in the past, is facing a charge of violating a harassment prevention order after investigators linked him to signs saying things such as “Fire Liar Hunter” and “The hatchet for Hunter.”
Lawyers have been trading motions since shortly after Grace’s November arrest.
Attorney George King argues Grace was exercising his right to free speech, not making violent threats. He wants officials to hand over “all written correspondence” between Hunter and Acton police about Grace since last April.
King is seeking any other emails Hunter sent or received that reference his client and wants to see a no-trespass order that Hunter had served against Grace.
The lawyer is asking for internal school district documents that reference his client and says the schools should produce all executive session School Committee minutes since 2024 that mention Grace.
He filed his request in late April and argued his case at a July 6 hearing. He said he wants emails so he can see “how the Acton police got involved in a political dispute.”
“These are very basic concerns,” King said.
Acton Public Schools attorney Katie Mulligan said the court must reject the request, calling an affidavit attached to King’s motion “devoid of any argument.”
Mulligan didn’t attend the case’s latest court date but filed a 12-page response. She argued that Grace is using the court’s system for requesting documents outside the normal discovery process “as a means to further intimidate and harass” Hunter.
Mulligan said the defense can seek relevant emails between Hunter and the police through discovery but “has failed to demonstrate” that they need the documents at all. Any irrelevant documents won’t be admissible at trial.
Among her rebuttals, Mulligan said Grace peppered the town with “creepy scarecrows and signs.” Some, she said, “incite violence with the phrase ‘Hatchet to Hunter.’”
In describing Grace’s signs, Mulligan misquoted at least one of them shown in a photo within her own filing. That sign said “the hatchet for Hunter,” — not “Hatchet to Hunter.”
King has argued the “hatchet” phrasing was a turn of phrase calling for Hunter’s ouster.
Mulligan didn’t respond to Acton Bridge questions about her legal memo’s quotations.
Judge Maureen McManus hadn’t ruled on the defense request for documents as of press time. Grace is due back in court next month.
