Stephen Coco Waives Probable Cause Hearing

Bedford Police have confirmed today that Stephen Coco, accused of leaving the scene of an accident after striking two Bedford teenagers in March, has waived his probable cause hearing.

The hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, at 9:30 a.m. 

Coco, who was fired from his longtime job as an undercover Manchester Police detective days after the March 22 incident, faces two felony counts of conduct after an accident after being arrested and charged with the crimes on Tuesday, March 26.

According to LegalMatch.com, a probable cause hearing is described as follows:

A Probable Cause hearing is one of the pre-trial stages of a criminal case.  During a probable cause hearing, the judge will determine whether probable cause existed, usually in relation to an arrest or a search for evidence. 

Probable cause is a reasonable belief, based on objective facts, that the suspect has committed or is going to commit a crime.  Police officers need to establish probable cause before they can make an arrest or seize evidence.

Hillsborough County Attorney Patricia LaFrance was not immediately available for comment.

Bedford Patch will continue to monitor this case and will provide updates when more information is made available.

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