Federal prosecutors say a Vermont man charged with killing his niece tried to steer investigators away from him while he was in jail.
But the 2008 message written by Michael Jacques of Randolph from jail went to an acquaintance of Jacques who was cooperating with authorities investigating the disappearance and death of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett.
The allegations are contained in documents on file in U.S. District Court in Burlington.
The Burlington Free Press says the documents allege Jacques wrote by hand messages he wanted the friend to then transmit via e-mail to lawyers, media and family members…messages designed to shift blame for Brooke’s killing to a phony sex ring that preyed on young girls.
Jacques is due to go on trial next year. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.