MAN ACCUSED OF DRUG DEALING LISTS OCCUPATION AS DRUG DEALER

BRATTLEBORO, Vt.- Norman Hardy Jr. pleaded innocent to drug
charges. But when asked to list his occupation? Well, he sent a mixed
message. "Selling drugs," he said.

Hardy, 22, of Brattleboro was arrested on Saturday after police
received a tip that he was returning to Vermont from Springfield,
Mass., with a half-ounce of crack cocaine.

The caller gave a description of the car Hardy was driving and a
partial license plate number, according to arresting officer Michael
Carrier.

A record check showed Hardy's driving privileges had been
suspended.

Police officer John Frechette spotted the car as it exited Interstate
91, Carrier said. Hardy was stopped in Brattleboro by Carrier, who
recognized him.

Hardy was initially arrested for driving with a suspended license,
Carrier said. A small pipe was found in the front passenger seat and
State Trooper David Magdycz and his dog, Shadow, were called in to do
a drug search.

Hardy admitted to having cocaine and turned it over to police, Carrier
said. The two "rocks" of crack cocaine weighed 14.4 grams, Carrier
said. There are 28 grams in an ounce.

Hardy appeared in Vermont District Court on Monday.

On an application for a public defender, Hardy listed his occupation
as "selling drugs," according to court records. He also claimed $6,000
in income for the previous 30 days, an amount Deputy State's Attorney
Susan Kennedy said made him ineligible for public assistance.

Public Defender Paul Berch, while acknowledging that Hardy might have
incriminated himself in his application, said his client didn't have a
dime to his name.

"Money goes in, money goes out it's the nature of that type of work
the state referred to," Berch said.

In granting Hardy a public defender, Acting Judge David Gibson said
selling drugs did not qualify as wage income.

The judge ordered Hardy held on $5,000 cash bail.