Ex-Dedham Cop Sentenced Up To 9 Years For Role In Kidnapping

DEDHAM, MA — A former Dedham police officer was sentenced Thursday to six to nine years in prison after being convicted Wednesday on charges connected to the kidnapping and death of an Avon man. Michael Schoener, 45, was found guilty of being an accessory before the fact in a kidnapping after prosecutors said he let James Feeney borrow his badge, handcuffs, and gun holster, all which were used to kidnap and murder James Robertson, 37, on New Year's Day 2014.

At Thursday's hearing, Assistant District Attorney Lynn Beland asked the judge to impose a sentence of 9 to 10 years. Beland argued that the "aggravating factors" in the case, including the defendant’s position as a police officer, justified a harsh penalty. The maximum penalty for the conviction is 10 years.

Defense Attorney John Gibbons asked that Schoener be sentenced to probation or at most, 18 months in prison. After Judge Robert Cosgrove sentenced Schoener, Gibbons asked that the sentence be ordered stayed pending appeal, which allows Schoener to delay serving the sentence until the appeals are exhausted. Cosgrove agreed to the stay.

Prosecutors argued strongly against the appeal, the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office said in a statement.

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• Former Dedham Cop Convicted In Kidnapping, Murder Case
• Kidnapping Trial Underway For Former Dedham Police Officer