Hudson man pleads to reckless conduct
NASHUA – A Superior Court judge Wednesday accepted a plea agreement in the domestic violence case of Douglas Duchesne Jr., who faced charges accusing him of smashing out a woman’s car windows and assaulting a family member in September.
Duchesne, 26, of 4 Lilac St. in Hudson, agreed to plead guilty to one count of reckless conduct-deadly weapon, which was originally a felony, but was amended to a misdemeanor as part of the agreement Duchesne reached with prosecutors.
The other three charges he faced – two counts of domestic violence and one count of criminal mischief, all misdemeanors – were dropped by agreement.
Judge Jacalyn Colburn, who presided during Wednesday’s hearing, sentenced Duchesne to 12 months in jail, all deferred for one year, with the condition he abide by all sentencing orders and remain on good behavior.
The orders prohibit Duchesne from consuming any alcohol or non-prescription drugs, and require him to continue substance abuse treatment and counseling. He must also comply with all treatment recommendations and provide the state with proof of compliance, if so ordered.
Duchesne must also undergo a mental health evaluation, and provide proof of this to the state, according to the terms.
If the court finds Duchesne in violation of the terms and chooses to impose jail time, he will receive credit for the 58 days of jail time he has served.
The episode that led to Duchesne’s arrest began the evening of Sept. 30, when police responding to a call for a disturbance at the Lilac Street residence found Duchesne on a nearby street, police said at the time.
During an on-scene investigation, officers spoke with a member of Duchesne’s family, who accused him of pushing her into a set of kitchen cabinets, then pushing her to the ground in the driveway. She sustained a laceration to her head, but wasn’t seriously injured, police said.
A short time later, officers spoke with a woman they described as an ex-girlfriend of Duchesne’s, who told them she was at his residence to gather her belongings because the two were breaking up.
She told police Duchesne became “extremely angry,” and as she tried to drive away he allegedly picked up one or more landscape blocks and smashed out three of her car windows.
Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com, or @Telegraph_DeanS.