NASHUA, N.H. — In an interview on WMUR’s CloseUp on Sunday, Opioid Lobbyist Cinde Warmington opposed upholding the death sentence for a career criminal who murdered Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs in cold blood.
During dueling appearances on WMUR-TV’s “Close-Up” program last weekend, Warmington and Ayotte spelled out their stark views over what to do with Michael “Stix” Addison, the only person sitting on New Hampshire’s death row. Addison killed Briggs 20 years ago this month.
At the time, Ayotte was the state’s attorney general and she personally led the prosecution.
Even though the Legislature repealed the death penalty in 2019, Ayotte said the punishment should remain for Addison.
“The death penalty was the appropriate sentence there. That’s what the jury came up with. And how important is this? Because we want our law enforcement officers to know that even if they’re confronted with a career criminal, they will face the most serious consequences, because the work that they do every day is so important,” Ayotte said.
…
If Addison’s last-ditch effort fails, Warmington said as governor she still would not carry out capital punishment.
“I will not be proceeding with the application of the death penalty in this state,” she said.
Following the interview, law enforcement leaders across New Hampshire slammed Warmington for siding with a cop killer over the officers who protect our state every day:
“The murder of Officer Michael Briggs remains one of the darkest days in the history of the Manchester Police Department, and its impact is still felt two decades later. Officer Briggs’s murderer was found guilty and his sentence should be carried out. No politician should stand in the way of that. This is about supporting justice and the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities across the state of New Hampshire.”
— Chief Peter Marr, Manchester Police Department
“Police officers across our state deserve a governor who stands with them and believes in accountability for criminals like Michael Addison, but Cinde Warmington’s comments yesterday make it clear that she is not that person. Since Addison was convicted and sentenced for murdering Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs in 2006, there have been four New Hampshire governors, two Democrats and two Republicans, all of whom opposed commuting Addison’s sentence. Every day, our police officers put on their uniforms and put themselves at risk to have our backs. They need a governor who has theirs, and they currently have one in Kelly Ayotte.”
— David Mara, former Chief, Manchester Police Department
“Cinde Warmington called locking up dangerous criminals weird, and her comments on Michael Addison tell us she meant every word of it. A governor who would protect a cop killer has no business leading this state. The people of New Hampshire deserve better.” — Sheriff Brian Newcomb, Hillsborough County
“Cinde Warmington’s comments are disgusting, and they’re a slap in the face to every law enforcement officer in our state. It’s an insult to Officer Briggs, his family, and every man and woman who wears the badge. Our officers put their lives on the line every day, and Warmington has shown, once again, she has no business serving as governor.” — Sheriff Bill Wright, Belknap County
“Opposing the death penalty for a criminal who executed a police officer prioritizes violent offenders over real accountability. Accountability that all citizens in New Hampshire expect; a nonviolent state, where communities are protected and the people that protect them are supported. On the month of the 20th anniversary of Officer Michael Briggs’ murder, we should stand firmly with his family and honor his ultimate sacrifice. I commend Governor Kelly Ayotte for her steadfast commitment to justice and her unwavering support for the officers who keep New Hampshire safe.”
— Chief Anne Perriello, Pelham Police Department
“It is deeply disappointing to hear a candidate for Governor say that she would not hold Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs’ killer accountable for murdering him in cold blood. The fact that Cinde Warmington would side with a career criminal like Michael Addison speaks volumes about the kind of leadership we can expect if she is elected Governor. For the sake of public safety, voters must reject Warmington in November.” — Stefan Czyzowski, President, New Hampshire Troopers Association
“Officer Michael Briggs was a good friend and an outstanding officer, and it’s an insult to his legacy, family, and fellow men and women of law enforcement for Cinde Warmington to defend his killer. We cannot trust someone who sides with a career criminal over law enforcement and law-abiding citizens to serve as our Governor. Cinde Warmington’s comments are further proof that she is unfit for the corner office, and she should apologize to New Hampshire’s law enforcement community.”
— Mike Geha, President, New Hampshire Police Association
“Coming up on 20 years ago, our Department experienced one of the worst days in its history when Officer Michael Briggs was murdered in desperation by an armed and dangerous career criminal trying to evade capture. Cinde Warmington saying that she doesn’t support his killer facing the ultimate penalty is deeply insulting to Officer Briggs’ legacy, his family, and the entire Manchester Police Department. It’s clear that law enforcement in our state cannot trust Cinde Warmington to have their backs.”
— Rob Megowen, President, Manchester Association of Police Supervisors
“Every officer in Manchester carries the memory of Officer Michael Briggs with them as they put on the uniform and go out on shift across our city. Cinde Warmington’s choice to side with his killer is an insult to every man and woman who serves in the Manchester Police Department, their families, and the community they protect and serve. Warmington should be ashamed of herself.”
— Neil Pentinnen, President, Manchester Police Patrolman’s Association
###
