Bridport man denies guilt in attempted murder case
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By Brent Curtis Staff Writer - Published: March 31, 2009
A Bridport man charged with attempted murder was ordered held without bail on Monday after a Rutland judge described his alleged crime as being "as serious as it can get without successfully killing someone."
Adam J. Brouillard, 39, pleaded innocent in Rutland District Court Monday to a charge of attempted second-degree murder and felony first-degree aggravated domestic assault for crimes that allegedly took place at a Bridport home where he and his wife once lived.
Brouillard, who was arrested Friday night after a high-speed chase on Route 4 between Fair Haven and West Rutland, also pleaded innocent to a trio of misdemeanors that included a second drunken driving offense, attempting to elude an officer and careless operation of a motor vehicle.
Brouillard's attorney, Jonathan Heppell, argued that his client's ties to the community, longstanding employment and lack of recent criminal charges made him a low flight risk. He asked the judge to set bail no higher than $35,000.
But after examining the details of the charges, including injuries to the alleged victim, Brouillard's estranged wife, Judge Thomas Zonay said nothing short of incarceration would satisfy his concerns for Brouillard's future court appearances and the public's safety.
"According to the information that the court has at hand, he brutally and repeatedly assaulted her and he said what he was trying to do as he assaulted her," Zonay said. "Incarceration in this case is absolutely appropriate."
Brouillard allegedly told his wife he was going to "put a bullet in her head and kill her," as he was beating her at the couple's former home on Fiddlers Lane on Friday evening, according to State Police in New Haven.
Deena Brouillard told police that she was returning to the house — where she lives, and Adam Brouillard is allowed to use the garage — when she found her estranged husband waiting in the driveway.
As she got out of her car along with her daughters, ages 4 and 6, Adam Brouillard allegedly grabbed her, threw her to the ground and placed his knee over her chest and neck, according to an affidavit filed in the case.
The woman told police she managed to break free and run, but Brouillard caught up with her and dragged her into the garage where he threw her to the floor and began beating her head against the concrete.
Addison County Deputy States Attorney Teri Ames said Deena Brouillard's shoulder was broken in the attack, both eyes were blackened and her face and body were covered with cuts and bruises.
"He threatened to kill his wife and the man she is dating during a brutal attack that played out in front of his children," she said.
Brouillard, who wore a T-shirt with the words "Got her done" printed on it, shook his head as the allegations were laid out and Heppell said he denied ever attacking his wife or telling police at the time of his arrest that he planned to kill his wife and himself.
It was hours after the incident before police were able to find and arrest Brouillard.
Fair Haven police on patrol on Route 4 near Exit 2 said they tried to pull Brouillard over as he was driving east at about 9:30 p.m. on Friday.
But Brouillard didn't stop, police said, instead accelerating to speeds up to 90 mph in a chase that ended at the Exit 6 off-ramp in West Rutland, where State Police stopped Brouillard's truck using spike strips that deflated his tires.
brent.curtis@rutlandherald.com
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