Hartford
In the temporary Relief From Abuse order, Windsor Superior Court Judge M. Kathleen Manley found that Deputy Chief Leonard Roberts had abused his wife, Rebel, and placed her “in fear of imminent serious physical harm” and that there was “an immediate danger of further abuse.”
Manley ordered Leonard Roberts to vacate the couple’s Wilder home, not to contact his wife in any way and not to come within 300 feet of her, her vehicle or her workplace at Dartmouth College.
If he violates the order, Roberts is subject to arrest without a warrant.
A hearing on Manley’s order will be held in Orange Superior Court in Chelsea next Tuesday.
The venue changed from Windsor County last week due to potential conflicts.
Roberts, 60, has been employed by the Hartford Police Department for 35 years.
Meanwhile, Rebel Roberts, 52, filed for divorce late last month. She filed two motions in connection with the divorce proceedings, one seeking a monthly payment from her husband to cover the cost of bills and another seeking possession of the couple’s home until it could be sold.
Leonard Roberts objected to both motions.
He was placed on paid administrative leave from the Hartford Police Department last Wednesday, the day after the restraining order was granted.
Though the judge granted the order, Roberts has not been charged with a crime.
Vermont State Police are, however, investigating an alleged “domestic altercation” against Leonard Roberts.
Vermont State Police Capt. Robert Cushing said on Monday that detectives began their investigation last week and there isn’t a timeline on when they will be finished.
“It is in the early phases,” he said, adding that no new information would be released at this time.
A message left on Leonard Roberts’ phone wasn’t returned, nor were messages left for his Hartland-based attorney, Maureen Martin.
A woman who answered a phone listed for Rebel Roberts hung up without commenting. Messages left for her attorney, White River Junction-based Jordana Levine, weren’t returned.
Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.