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Former counselor, vet indicted

By Dean Shalhoup - Senior Staff Writer | Jan 30, 2020

NASHUA – Charles Donnelly, a former middle school guidance counselor in Hudson who previously sustained wounds via an improvised explosive device (IED) blast while serving with the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan, has been indicted on six charges accusing him of sexually assaulting his wife.

The January grand jury for Hillsborough County Superior Court-South handed up the indictments this week. Donnelly, 35, a Nashua resident who, according to his lawyer and a family member, battles post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol problems, is charged with six counts of domestic violence-related aggravated felonious sexual assault, which are classified as special felonies.

The indictments accuse Donnelly of engaging in sexual activity with his wife by a combination of “overcoming her through the … application of physical force,” and having sex with her without her consent, according to the documents.

Four of the alleged incidents took place from July 1 to Aug. 31, and two on Nov. 4, the indictments state. All the alleged incidents took place at the couple’s home in Nashua.

Donnelly has since moved to another residence in Nashua as part of his bail orders.

Hudson police took Donnelly into custody in mid-November after a family member contacted police expressing concern for the safety of the alleged victim, police said at the time.

They initially charged Donnelly with three counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault, and one misdemeanor count of simple assault – domestic violence.

Superior Court Judge Charles Temple, at Donnelly’s arraignment, granted him personal recognizance bail, but on the condition he be placed on home confinement – meaning he must remain at his residence except for medical appointments, including treatment or counseling sessions, or for legal obligations such as appearing in court or meeting with his attorney.

The day after Donnelly’s arraignment, Hudson School District officials issued a statement announcing they had placed him on “removal status,” which is similar to paid administrative leave.

The statement, which didn’t name Donnelly, said officials “became aware that a district employee is facing serious criminal charges, as reported in the Nashua Telegraph.”

Donnelly is no longer employed by the school district.

Attorney Roger Chadwick, who signed on to represent Donnelly shortly after his arrest, stated in recent court filings that Donnelly has “provided an extensive list of meetings and counseling sessions,” and has been “showing incredible progress with issues that may have caused the court concern.”

Chadwick also took issue with reports filed by police and prosecutors. “Neither the (police) affidavit nor the prosecutor synopsis makes mention of the fact (Donnelly) is missing one of his lower legs,” Chadwick wrote.

“This is a shocking admission,” he added, given the nature of some of the alleged victim’s accusations.

Temple had earlier granted Chadwick’s motion to amend Donnelly’s home-confinement order to allow him to attend family holiday parties, and, over the objections of Assistant County Attorney Lisa Drescher, granted another motion seeking permission for Donnelly to leave his home briefly to get a haircut.

Drescher, noting in her objection the “extremely serious” nature of the allegations, argued that Donnelly “has been given great latitude already to leave home confinement … in light of the circumstances, a haircut is not a suitable reason to lift (bail) conditions designed to protect the public,” she wrote.

Donnelly is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictments today in the Nashua court.

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