Update: Theft Conviction in Broderick Parker Surrogate Case
The Ohio Police Chief accused of burglarizing the home of the woman who is a surrogate mom for Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker was recently found guilty on three of six charges.
According to People.com, Martin's Ferry Police Chief Barry Carpenter, 40, along with another police chief, was accused of meeting with freelance photographers last May and offering items such as a poem, photos, legal documents about the Broderick Parker surrogacy agreement, and pictures of ultrasounds. A photographer alerted the surrogacy agency, which reported the thefts to police.
Carpenter was found guilty of receiving stolen property, theft in office and tampering with evidence. However, he was found not guilty on two counts of burglary and one count of unauthorized use of property or services.
Michelle Ross, a 26-year old single mother and Broderick Parker surrogate, gave birth to the twins in Martin's Ferry, Ohio last June.
As we previously reported, Mr. Carpenter's alleged accomplice was another man involved with the law. His alleged accomplice is Bridgeport Sheriff Mr. Chad Dojack. Mr. Dojack's trial is slated to start in January. The mayor of Bridgeport's son Bruce Callarik has also been charged with complicity to receive stolen property.
Ross was one of the last witnesses to testify in Carpenter's trial.
Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick are did not appear in court.
They did release a statement through their publicist that said: "Matthew and Sarah Jessica have complete faith in the legal system."
Looks like their faith won out.
Carpenter now faces up to 10 years in prison at his sentencing December 10. Until then he also must wear a home confinement device and will be tracked with a GPS device.
- Burglary (Findlaw)
- Developing a Defense Strategy: Receiving Stolen Goods (Findlaw)
- Family Law FAQ (provided by Law Offices of Susan Millican O'Brian & Associates, P.S.)
- Theft Overview (provided by Brucar and Yetter, P.C.)