Former New Hampshire state representative Robert Forsythe pleaded guilty to assault charges Friday, and is being released again on bail to get his affairs in order before sentencing hearing.
Forsythe, 38, who represented Boscawen at the State House, pleaded guilty to two simple assault charges against a former intimate partner – first that he grabbed her by the arms and pushed her out of the way, and second that he kneed her in the back at her home on June 28, 2020. Friday’s hearing took place online.
Forsythe, who struggles with alcohol abuse, had been taken into custody following a Jan. 19 report that he violated the terms of his last-chance bail agreement by consuming alcohol.
But on Friday, Forsythe was released on bail again to attend to some personal financial issues, including paying bills, shutting off utilities and rehoming his dog, who has not been cared for since his most recent arrest, according to his defense lawyer, Vanessa Gelinas. Forsythe’s house in Boscawen is about to be foreclosed on and he will be forced to vacate once the COVID eviction moratorium expires, meaning Forsythe would lose all his belongings if he does not move them to a storage facility now, before beginning a jail sentence, Gelinas said.
The state objected to the release, saying that Forsythe, who has a history of domestic violence charges, also has several breaches of bail conditions on his record already, for violating the no-alcohol rule.
“I am sympathetic to the idea that he needs to have things taken care of, but the state does not believe that it’s appropriate given his convictions, as well as his most recent performance on bail on this matter,” said prosecutor Melinda Siranian.
Judge John Kissinger, who presided over the hearing, ultimately decided to release Forsythe again on bail so he could get his affairs in order before his sentencing hearing in March, as long as he complies with the terms of the bail agreement. Forsythe’s bail conditions include abstaining from alcohol, wearing a monitoring bracelet and abiding by a curfew.
The victim was also present at the hearing, and spoke in favor of enrolling Forsythe in in rehabilitation for his alcohol problem, rather than sending him to jail. She also said she does not want a no-contact order.
Boscawen police allege that Forsythe was intoxicated when he showed up at the victim’s residence on June 28 with a knife in his waistband to intimidate her, according to an affidavit filed in Merrimack County Superior Court. The woman reported that she was talking with Forsythe about her pregnancy, noting that the baby could be his. She reported that he kneed her in the back and grabbed her by the arms to move her out of his way. She also said Forsythe put his hands around her neck and applied pressure, squeezing from both sides, the affidavit says. He was arrested at the scene.
Forsythe resigned from the N.H. House of Representatives on Aug. 27, under pressure from fellow representatives and Gov. Chris Sununu. He will appear in court next on March 4.