Constable Charged in Court Disruption

LEOMINSTER — A Fitchburg constable pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges of disrupting a court proceeding and disorderly conduct. The accusations stem from an alleged outburst at Housing Court in February.

Lorie A. Spaulding, 40, appeared in court as a litigant on Feb. 7. According to court records, she is a constable, responsible for serving legal papers such as divorce and eviction notices.

Ms. Spaulding was in Housing Court in Fitchburg and became disruptive after receiving an “unfavorable disposition” in a case in which she was a party, according to a report by Court Officer Robert V. Taylor. When the court began hearing a second case in which Ms. Spaulding was involved, she repeatedly interrupted Judge Diane Horan and was ordered to be taken into custody for being in contempt of court, Mr. Taylor wrote.

Ms. Spaulding refused to comply with the officer’s orders and tried to flee the courtroom, he said, ultimately being handcuffed on the ground. She was not injured, according to the report by Mr. Taylor.

The case is being heard in Leominster District Court to avoid a conflict of interest in Fitchburg, Judge John J. Curran ruled.