New venue for protection order; Grace criminal case staying put
Schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter was in court on May 4 as the criminal case continued and the order neared its expiration.
A judge has extended a harassment prevention order against a Acton man accused of erecting “scarecrows” targeting schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter.
It’s temporary, and the already complex case has added a new venue.
Hunter secured the civil order last May over a series of incidents involving resident John Grace.
Makeshift signs started appearing around town last fall with messages including “Fire liar Hunter” and “The Hatchet for Hunter.” Police arrested Grace in November on a charge of violating the restrictions. His defense lawyer has been fighting the charge.
Hunter was back in Acton District Court with an attorney on May 4 as the criminal case continued and the order neared its expiration.
Grace’s lawyer, George King, said he’d just learned that Hunter lives in a community served by Westborough District Court. He argued a Acton judge didn’t have the jurisdiction to issue the order in the first place.
Hunter “does not have standing,” he said.
King has been trying to vacate the harassment prevention order.
Judge Lynn Brendemuehl transferred the matter to the Westborough court. She extended Hunter’s order against Grace through May 18 to give a Westborough judge time to rule.
The criminal case stays in Acton, and Grace is due back in court next month.
Grace missed the latest proceedings for “medical reasons,” according to Brendemuehl, and she delayed discussing a mounting pile of motions.
Prosecutors say Hunter feared a violent incident as signs appeared around town.
Grace’s defense attorney argues that any alleged signmaking would have been protected free speech.
The prosecution stayed mostly silent during the May 4 hearing. Hunter stepped to a podium for the harassment prevention order discussion, but a school district lawyer did most of the talking.
The Bridge reached out to Hunter with questions, including why Willard Elementary School Principal Matt Lucey accompanied her to court. A spokesperson said Hunter would “not be commenting on this matter.”
This story has been updated.
