Vandalism Suspect Arraigned, Judge Holds Firm on Charges

A Milford man who is accused of participating in the vandalism of the athletic fields and property at Milford High School was arraigned Thursday on charges including a felony offense, malicious destruction of property.

Jeffery Vanzile, 29, of 122 Highland St., Milford, is charged with disturbing the peace, malicious destruction of property worth more than $250, and disorderly conduct.

A co-defendant, is accused of driving the Jeep Grand Cherokee that police say was stopped as it attempted to flee the high school property. Nichols, arraigned Monday, faces the same charges as Vanzile, but is also charged with trespass and OUI liquor.

Assistant District Attorney Bob had shown the damage may exceed "hundreds of thousands of dollars" to the athletic fields. "There's absolutely no justification for what occurred," Shea said.

The report, by the field's project manager, said that the artificial turf cannot be repaired in portions, and the entire field of turf is valued at $350,000 to $400,000.

Mark Clifford, Vanzile's attorney, challenged the decision of prosecutors to charge his client as a "joint venturer" in the case, saying he could see "very little support" to justify the decision.

District Judge Robert Calagione stopped him: "Was he in the car?" Calagione asked. After Clifford indicated yes, Calagione said: "That's enough for me."

Calagione ordered bail set in a similar fashion as for Nichols: Vanzile may be released on $500 cash bail, but conditions include he must submit to random drug and alcohol screening and abide by an 8 p.m curfew. Both men have to use a device called an "intoxi-meter" before operating a vehicle.

Both Vanzile and Nichols are next scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial hearing on July 2.