Former candidate faces trial in criminal threat case

Michael Bernier

MILTON - The town resident who made a bid for selectman in March faces trial in Rochester District Court later this month on both criminal threatening and disorderly conduct charges stemming from two separate incidents earlier this year.

Michael Bernier, 48, of Felker Drive, was arrested back on Jan. 1 in a criminal threatening incident involving a domestic disturbance, Milton Police Chief Richard Krauss said on Thursday.

Then on Feb. 2, Milton Police were called to a disturbance at the corner of Felker Drive and Jackson Street. When they arrived they found Bernier in an altercation with a neighbor, and after investigating the incident, Bernier was charged with disorderly conduct.

Krauss said the criminal threatening charge stems from the February incident for threatening remarks and gestures Bernier is alleged to have made to the arresting officer, including making a “throat slashing” gesture and mouthing “you’re dead.”

The criminal threatening and disorderly conduct charges in the February incident are both misdemeanor B, but the criminal threatening in the January incident is a misdemeanor A, which is punishable by up to a year in jail.

Bernier will be represented by a public defender at his upcoming trial on April 15.

Bernier lost his selectman’s race to incumbent Selectman Tom Gray by a vote of 533-278 at town elections last month.