Thomas MacMillan Photo
Almost two weeks after being fired from his job as a city cop, Jason Bandy appeared in court on Monday. His lawyer said he will plead not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged “sick day” escapade last fall.
Sporting a new beard and a leather jacket, Bandy faced Judge Bruce Thompson in Superior Court on Elm Street Monday morning. His case was continued for the third time, until Feb 26.
Bandy left court with his attorney, Gregory Cerritelli. Bandy plans to plead not guilty to second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer, and disorderly conduct.
Those charges were the result of a night in October, when police say Bandy called in sick to work and then went out drinking at the Center Street Lounge. There he got drunk, urinated on the bathroom floor, and then refused to leave when staff tried to evict him, police say. (More here.)
Bandy’s alleged exploits led police commissioners to terminate him on Jan. 12. Bandy said Monday that he plans to appeal that decision.
Attorney Cerritelli said Bandy’s case needed to be continued to allow more time to investigate the facts. “The law moves in geological time,” he said.
Asked how he plans to prove that his client is not guilty, Cerritelli said that will depend on what the investigation reveals.