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A police officer in Brockton, Massachusetts, who caused a late-night crash that injured a family, is getting a promotion to lieutenant. Last month, the NBC10 Boston Investigators reported how Stanley David received a short unpaid suspension for what the police chief described as “poor judgement” that damaged the reputation of the department. However, the crash that occurred shortly after leaving a bar at closing time was not enough to prevent a promotion to the high-ranking position. This week at a city meeting, council members made the ceremonial vote to approve David’s ascension in the department. The new lieutenant, who did not respond to previous NBC10 Boston inquiries about the crash, briefly addressed council members from the podium. “I’ve been on the job for about 26 years,” David said. “I appreciate what you guys have done here. Just want to say ‘Thank you,’ and I have a couple more years to serve the City of Brockton.” An Internal Affairs investigation revealed David was drinking on the night in May 2023 when he collided into a family’s vehicle as they sat at a red light. The incident was first reported by the NBC10 Boston Investigators, who spoke to the couple about the frightening ordeal with their baby boy sitting in the backseat. Even though the department’s internal investigation determined there was not enough evidence to prove David was intoxicated behind the wheel, Chief Brenda Perez concluded the findings warranted a three-day unpaid suspension for conduct unbecoming of an officer. “This decision is based on substantial evidence that underscores both poor judgement on your part and the subsequent damage to the reputation of the Brockton Police Department,” Perez wrote in a letter to David. The report obtained by the NBC10 Boston Investigators included video from surveillance cameras at Brack’s Grille and Tap in Brockton. According to the documents, David arrived at the establishment after consuming “3-4 vodka tonics” at an earlier social event with the Brockton Police Relief Association. The video shows David walking “awkwardly” through the bar’s front doors, having at least one beverage, commiserating with other patrons, and chatting with a bartender. Surveillance footage shows Sgt. Stanley David leaving the Brack’s Grille and Tap in Brockton before the crash. David left the establishment at closing time about 1 a.m. Moments later, he crashed into another vehicle as it stopped at a red light on Belmont Street. Damian Dorsey and Jessica Nash were in the other car with their 5-month-old baby boy, Beckham, sitting in the back seat. “It was literally like a bomb had gone off in our car,” Dorsey told us about the impact that pushed their vehicle 300 feet through the intersection. “The headrests came out of the seats. To get rear-ended like that still gives me chills.” Damian, Jessica and Beckham Before first responders took the family to the hospital, Dorsey said witnesses at the scene reported the driver of the other vehicle was intoxicated. However, when the couple later obtained a copy of the police report, it said no witnesses provided a statement. They also noticed that police did not conduct a field sobriety test. The couple has since retained an attorney and said they have been advised to make no further public comments. Investigators interviewed 11 police officers about the incident, along with a witness who took several videos at the crash scene, and a bartender at Brack’s. Surveillance footage of the crash Coworkers at the social event recalled seeing David with a drink in his hand, but not showing any signs of intoxication. Officers who responded to the crash scene also told investigators they did not observe probable cause to conduct a field sobriety test. A lieutenant who responded to the scene after learning the crash involved a Brockton police officer eventually gave David a ride home. David’s story changed, according to the report. On scene that night, he told other officers he “may have dozed off” behind the wheel. He later reported being distracted by his vehicle’s audio screen before the collision. Witness video of David standing next to his vehicle. Captain Steven Williamson reviewed the Internal Affairs case, which took more than a year to complete, on two different occasions and determined there was insufficient evidence to sustain an allegation that David was driving while drunk. However, the police chief concluded the details amounted to “conduct unbecoming of an officer,” while noting David’s years of service and absence of previous disciplinary history. As we reported at the time, the Civil Service list for Brockton police indicated David was next in line for a promotion to lieutenant. A spokesperson for Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan told us that he supports the decision made by the police chief to elevate David up the ranks. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

The Karen Read case attracted a circus-like atmosphere in Massachusetts with daily demonstrations eventually requiring police to maintain a buffer zone around the Dedham courthouse where the trial was held. Keeping the peace cost the state nearly $210,000 in overtime, according to Massachusetts State Police, who provided data about the trial’s cost Thursday in response to a records request. Security at Norfolk Superior Court totaled $258,278.94, of which $208,112.71 was troopers’ overtime pay for about 2,264 hours beyond the 806 regular hours of work, according to police. They didn’t share the cost of providing security for a typical trial. A chart showing Massachusetts State Police courthouse security staffing costs for Commonwealth v. Karen Read Trial 1. But Read’s closely watched and contentious case became a cause celebre for some. While she was accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, with her SUV during a snow storm in Canton in January 2022, she denied it, and a large group of supporters took up her argument that she was framed. Before the trial started, Judge Beverly Cannone ordered that demonstrators be kept 200 feet from the courthouse. There were regular demonstrations during the monthslong legal proceeding. Supporters of Karen Read demonstrating several blocks from Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts, during her trial. The trial ended with a hung jury, though that process has been contentious, too — the Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments next month on whether to overrule Cannone’s dismissal of Read’s request to toss two of the three charges brought by the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. State police also on Thursday shared payroll records for people who served as witnesses in the trial. The department paid overtime to four officers for trial preparations, with Trooper Michael Proctor and Det. Lt. Brian Tully each preparing for four overtime hours. Proctor’s preparation cost totaled $313.46, while Tully’s — over two days — totaled $560.66. The state paid $43,902.35 in costs for its expert civilian witnesses from four firms: Bode, Hexordia, Venture Too and UC Davis. More Karen Read news Karen Read 11 hours ago What did Karen Read prosecutors say in response to her team's appeal? Read the brief Oct 2 Brian Walshe lawyers request Proctor records amid Karen Read trial fallout

A 4-year-old girl died after being rushed to a hospital from a home in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, and her father is now facing charges, according to court documents. Prosecutors had said that Francisco Ortiz, a 34-year-old from Worcester, was arraigned in court Wednesday and held without bail on assault and battery charges in connection with a child’s serious injuries. Ortiz was arraigned in court Wednesday and held without bail on charges of assault and battery on a child with substantial injury, permitting substantial injury to a child, another county of assault and battery, two counts of permitting injury to a child and reckless endangerment of a child, according to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office. It wasn’t immediately clear if Ortiz had an attorney who could speak to the charges. He’s due back in court for a dangerousness hearing Wednesday. Prosecutors didn’t share more details about what led to the child’s injuries, how seriously the child was hurt or what relationship Ortiz had with the child, but documents filed in Worcester District Court offered more information on the case. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522. Police were called to Ortiz’ home about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a 4-year-old who’d fallen on the floor and was unresponsive, and when officers arrived, Ortiz was the only adult at the home. He allegedly said the girl had fallen off a kitchen table. The child was rushed to UMass Memorial Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, court documents said. Doctors who treated her said the girl had a skull fracture that was consistent with falling two stories, not a fall from a table, and that she had bruises all over her body. Ortiz allegedly said the bruises were from previous falls. There were two other children at the address, whom Ortiz told police he had custody of and had been raising by himself for two years. Both appeared to be bruised, malnourished and dehydrated, according to the court documents. Worcester police referred questions to prosecutors. The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families told NBC10 Boston in a statement that it “took custody of the children living in the home and is investigating in collaboration with law enforcement.” More Worcester news Oct 11 College of the Holy Cross will cover more students' entire tuition Oct 4 Serious crash closes part of I-290 in Worcester Worcester Oct 2 2 dead in Worcester shootings, one that stopped I-190 for hours

Deadlines, rules and ballot questions differ in every state. Here’s what you need to know to plan your vote if you live in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont. Massachusetts election deadlines Timeline of important election deadlines: Oct. 11 Local early voting schedule becomes available Oct.19 Early voting period begins Oct. 26 Deadline to register to vote in person, by mail and online Oct. 29 Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot Nov. 1 Early voting period ends Nov. 5 – Election Day Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by this day in order to be counted. How can I register to vote in Massachusetts? If you’re not registered to vote, you can register by mail, online or in person at your local election office. Most applications ask you to confirm your citizenship, provide your full name, address and date of birth. Additionally, they ask for a driver’s license or social security number. And you are asked to provide your party enrollment or designation. If you want to be eligible to vote on Election Day, you must register by Saturday, Oct. 26. You cannot register on Election Day in Massachusetts. How to register to vote in Massachusetts If you’re not registered to vote, you can register by mail, online or in person at your local election office. Most applications ask you to confirm your citizenship, provide your full name, address and date of birth. Additionally, they ask for a driver’s license or social security number. You are asked to provide your party enrollment or designation. If you want to be eligible to vote on Election Day, you must register by Saturday, Oct. 26. You cannot register on Election Day in Massachusetts. How to vote by mail in Massachusetts If you are unable to vote in person in Massachusetts on Election Day or during the early voting period, you can vote by mail. You don’t need a reason or a witness to vote by mail, but you must return your ballot before the polls close on Election Day. The office of the Secretary of State William Francis Galvin suggests applying as early as possible, especially if your ballot needs to be mailed. The office recommends allowing up to seven days for delivery and applying two or three weeks before Election Day. There are several options to return a mail-in ballot.  You can mail it back using the envelope provided, hand deliver it to your local election office, drop it off at an early voting location during early voting hours or use a ballot drop box. How does early voting work in Massachusetts? You may also consider voting early in person. The early voting period offers voters the ability to vote before Election Day and usually in a less crowded location. Currently, 47 states, including Massachusetts, allow early in-person voting.  The early voting period in Massachusetts begins on Oct. 19 and ends on Nov. 1. There is no appointment or application required to vote early in person, you can just visit your local early voting location. Lines may be longer on the first and last days of early voting, so Galvin’s office recommends going on off hours. Each city and town in the state must offer at least one early voting location. The locations will be posted on the website of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at least one week before the early voting period begins. Massachusetts ballot questions There are five questions on the ballot for Massachusetts voters to decide on. Massachusetts Question 1: Should the auditor be allowed to investigate the state legislature? Every four years, voters elect a state auditor, who ensures that state agencies follow existing laws and regulations, according to Tufts University’s Center for State Policy Analysis. Even if the question passes, the auditor still will not be able to oversee votes, debates, committee assignments or policy priorities, which are all seen as “core legislative functions.” Massachusetts Question 2: Eliminate the MCAS graduation requirement. Question 2 would eliminate the requirement that students need to pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to graduate high school but still require students to complete coursework that meets state standards. Massachusetts Question 3: A union for rideshare drivers Question 3 asks whether Transportation Network Drivers should have the right to form unions. Massachusetts Question 4: Legalizing psychedelic drugs Question 4 would allow people 21 and over to grow, possess and use certain natural psychedelic substances. It would be two substances found in mushrooms and three substances found in plants. Massachusetts Question 5: Minimum wage increase for tipped workers Question 5 asks if employers should have to gradually increase the minimum wage for tipped work over the course of five years. What is the key race in Massachusetts? On Nov. 5, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) and attorney John Deaton (R) will compete for Warren’s current seat on the U.S. Senate. Warren did not face an opponent in the primary election. Deaton secured his spot against Warren and hopes to unseat her as this would be her third term. Deaton classifies himself as a “small government, fiscally-conservative, socially moderate Republican,” while Warren has fought for progressive change nationally. Connecticut Timeline of important election deadlines: Oct. 18 Online and by mail voter registration deadlines Oct. 21 Early voting period begins Nov. 3 Early voting period ends Nov. 5 – Polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last day to request an absentee ballot All absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. In-person registration deadline How can I register to vote in Connecticut? You can register to vote through the Office of the Secretary of State’s website. The online registration and by-mail registration deadlines are Oct. 18, while the in-person registration deadline is Nov. 5. How can I vote by mail in Connecticut? Connecticut has strict laws regarding who can vote absentee. Some reasons you would be allowed to vote absentee: Being an active member of the armed forces Being out of town on Election Day Sickness that prevents you from voting in person Religious beliefs that prevent you from performing secular duties like voting on Election Day Performing duties as an election official at a polling place other than your own A physical disability that prevents you from voting in person There is also an emergency ballot within six days of an election. You can request a regular absentee ballot at the state’s online absentee ballot request portal, where an application can be downloaded for individual use, the use of an individual’s immediate family or the use of a designee of the applicant. An absentee ballot will be sent to you 31 days before a general election and may be returned by mail or in person. Only ballots received before the polls close on Election Day will be counted. How does early voting work in Connecticut? The early voting period in Connecticut is Oct. 21 to Nov. 3. The locations will be listed here as they become available. Each town or city will have at least one early voting location. Maine Timeline of important election deadlines: Oct. 15 Online and by mail voter registration deadlines Oct. 31 Absentee ballot request form must be submitted Nov. 5 – Polls open anytime from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. In-person registration deadline Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. How can I register to vote in Maine? You can register to vote in person, online and by mail. Online registration forms can be found on the Department of the Secretary of State website, which gives the option to register for the first time, update your voter information and change your party enrollment. The deadline to apply by mail and online is Oct. 15. You can register to vote in person through Election Day in Maine. How can I vote by mail in Maine? To vote by mail in Maine, you must request an absentee ballot which can be done online via this request form. Absentee ballots may be requested as early as three months before Election Day and must be submitted before Oct. 31. How does early voting work in Maine? In Maine, dates and times to vote early in person vary by where you live. Maine ballot questions There are five questions on the ballot for Maine voters to decide on.  Question 1: Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office? Question 1 would limit contributions to political action committees that make independent expenditures  Question 2: Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds? Question 2 would authorize a general fund bond issue for research, development and commercialization. Question 3: Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25% local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources? Question 3 would authorize a general fund bond issue to restore historic community buildings Question 4: Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions? Question 4 would authorize a general fund bond issue to promote the design, development, and maintenance of trails for outdoor recreation and active transportation. Question 5: Do you favor making the former state flag, which was replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and is commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State? Question 5 would restore the former state of Maine flag. Timeline of important election deadlines: Nov. 4 Absentee ballots must be requested by mail by 12 p.m. Absentee ballots returned in person are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 5 Polls open as early as 6 a.m. and all locations close by 8 p.m. Hours will vary, but all polling locations are required to be open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. By mail absentee ballots must be returned by 5 p.m. In-person registration deadline How can I register to vote in New Hampshire? You may register to vote in New Hampshire in person, by mail under certain conditions, or on Election Day at your polling place. You can also register at your town hall before Nov. 5. Deadlines vary by town, generally six to 13 days before the election. You can find a full list of clerks and polling places on the New Hampshire Secretary of State website. How can I vote by mail in New Hampshire? You may request a mail-in ballot in New Hampshire through this application. The request must be received by Nov. 4 at 12 p.m. If returned by mail, the ballot must be received by 5 p.m. on Election Day. In person, the deadline is Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. How does early voting work in New Hampshire? New Hampshire does not offer early in-person voting before Election Day. What is the proposed change to the New Hampshire constitution? Voters in New Hampshire will be asked to weigh in on raising the mandatory retirement age for judges: “Are you in favor of amending article 78 of the second part of the constitution to read as follows: [Art.] 78. [Judges and Sheriffs, when Disqualified by Age.] No person shall hold the office of sheriff of any county, after the person has attained the age of seventy years. No person shall hold the office of judge of any court after the person has attained the age of seventy-five years.” (Passed by the N.H. House 321 Yes 27 No; Passed by the Senate 22 Yes 1 No) CACR 6 What is the key race to look out for in New Hampshire? Voters in New Hampshire will elect a new governor on Nov. 5. The seat is open for the first time since 2016 as incumbent Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, did not seek reelection. The three candidates are former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R), Joyce Craig (D) and Stephen Villee (L). Ayotte previously served as New Hampshire’s first female attorney general and is backed by Sununu. She wants to follow in the previous governor’s footsteps. Craig has served as Manchester’s first female mayor. She said serving the state’s third-largest city for three terms has prepared her to be governor. Libertarian candidate Villee runs on a platform for smaller government and greater individual freedom, according to his website. Rhode Island Timeline of important election deadlines: Oct. 6 Online and in-person registration deadlines By mail registration must be postmarked to this date Oct. 15 Mail-in ballot application deadline by 4 p.m. Oct. 16 Early voting begins Nov. 4 Early voting ends Nov. 5 – Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Ballot must be returned by mail or in person by 8 p.m. How can I register to vote in Rhode Island? You can register to vote in Rhode Island online through the Secretary of State’s website, in person, or by mail. You need a driver’s license or state identification number, your name and date of birth to register. You can register online through the Secretary of State’s website.   How can I vote by mail in Rhode Island? In Rhode Island, any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot. You can apply for a mail-in ballot online. The requirements are to have a valid state ID and be registered to vote.   To return your ballot, you may deliver it by mail or by hand. It must be returned before 8 p.m. on Election Day. How does early voting work in Rhode Island? In Rhode Island, you can vote early in person between Oct. 16 and Nov. 4. Schedules and locations vary by city or town. What are the key ballot questions in Rhode Island? There are five questions on the ballot for Rhode Island voters to decide on. Question 1: Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Rhode Island Constitution? Question 2: Should $120 million be allocated for housing and community opportunity? Question 2 would allow money to be allocated in the following ways: URI Biomedical Sciences Building – $87.5 million Rhode Island College Cybersecurity Building – $73 million Question 3: Should $120 million be allocated for housing and community opportunity? Question 3 would allow money to be allocated in the following ways: Affordable housing – $80 million Acquisition and revitalization – $10 million Homeownership – $20 million Site acquisition – $5 million Housing related infrastructure – $4 million Municipal planning – $1 million Question 4: Should $53 million be allocated for green economy bonds? Question 4 would allow money to be allocated in the following ways: Port of Davisville Infrastructure at Quonset – $15 million Climate resiliency – $2 million Brownsfield remediation and economic development – $5 million Local recreation projects – $5 million Municipal resiliency – $10 million Newport Cliff Walk – $3 million Agricultural Land Preservation Commission – $5 million Open Space program – $3 million Forests and habitat management – $5 million Question 5: Should $10 million be allocated for cultural arts and the economy grant program? Question 5 would allow money to be allocated in the following ways: Tomaquag Museum – $2 million Newport Contemporary Ballet – $2 million Trinity Repertory Company – $2 million Other funds to be allocated by the Rhode Island State Counsel on the Arts – $4 million Vermont Timeline of important election deadlines: Sept. 21 Early voting begins Nov. 4 Absentee ballot requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. or by the close of the town clerk’s office Absentee ballots must be returned by mail Nov. 5 – Polls open anytime from 5 to 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Registration deadline Absentee ballot must be returned by 7 p.m. How can I register to vote in Vermont? You can register to vote online, in person, or by mail in Vermont. If you are registering for the first time, you must include an acceptable form of photo identification.  How can I vote by mail in Vermont? Active Vermont voters do not need to request a mail-in ballot because the state mails general election ballots no later than Oct. 1. The ballot must be received by the town clerk or local election office before 7 p.m. on Election Day.  All requests for absentee ballots must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the day of the election. More election coverage Decision 2024 Oct 3 Where Trump and Harris stand on immigration and border security Donald Trump Oct 3 Trump and the federal election case against him: Key passages from prosecutors' latest court filing Melania Trump Oct 3 Melania Trump indicates support for abortion rights a month before election

Police in Framingham, Massachusetts, are looking for a 15-year-old boy who has been missing for two weeks. Framingham police say Lawrence Robert Antonetti was last seen on Oct. 3 and may possibly be in the Chelsea or Dorchester area. Anyone with information should call the Framingham Police Department at 508-872-1212. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.