Cops criticized in teen drinking case

BARRINGTON, R.I. (WPRI) - Fallout after Ryan Greenberg's sentencing day. The teen was convicted of causing a tragic boating accident that killed Patrick Murphy.

Greenberg was given a 5 year sentence with only 2 and half to serve behind bars and the remaining time on home confinement.

During the trial it was discovered that the teens were drinking prior to the boating accident. The judge in the case criticized Barrington's Police Department for not doing enough to prevent underage drinking in the town.

Now Chief John LaCross and members of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers or MADD defend themselves. Chief LaCross says he was stunned by the judge's remarks and now feels an obligation to defend his record of fighting underage drinking in Barrington.

"The reoccurring loss of teenage lives requires a heightened diligence that is clearly lacking," said RI Superior Judge Daniel Procaccini.

Judge Procaccini criticized the Barrington police for what he called selective enforcement of teenage drinking laws in Barrington. His remarks hit a nerve.

"The men and women doing their best to keep teens from self destructing," said Police Chief John LaCross.

Chief LaCross initially said he was insulted by the judge's remarks and says the judge should have dug deeper, cited facts and asked more questions.

"Is this true? Is this accurate? If he really saw the news he would see there are initiatives going on in this town to curb underage drinking," said Chief LaCross.

At a news conference the head of MADD praised the chief's efforts citing numerous policies that have created and his work in helping the state to adopt a social host law.

Judge Procaccini released a short statement about his controversial remarks saying, "It would inappropriate to expand on what was said in open court but that all of the facts to which he referred to in the sentencing of Ryan Greenburg were contained in all the reports provided to the court."