Politics & Government

UPDATE: Former State Sen. Marzilli Sentenced to Three Months for Lewdly Harassing Women

Marzilli pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to charges of lewd behavior, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Former State Senator James Marzilli pleaded guilty to six charges stemming from lewdly harassing women in Lowell in 2008.

Judge Paul Chernoff handed down a sentence of three months in county jail followed by 5 years probation. In his memorandum, Chernoff called Marzilli's offenses "bizarre unsettling, upsetting, and potentially dangerous."

Marzilli appeared in Lowell's Middlesex County Superior Court this morning, where he entered guilty pleas to three counts of disorderly conduct for accosting and annoying a member of the opposite sex in a lewd way, one count of disorderly conduct for disturbing the peace, and one count of resisting arrest.

Find out what's happening in Woburnfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Marzilli, the former state for Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Lexington and Woburn, also served nearly nine terms in the House of Representatives representing Arlington and West Medford. 

His attorney, Terrence Kennedy sought a sentence of three years probation and no jail time, while prosecutors are seeking one year in the house of corrections.

Find out what's happening in Woburnfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Marzilli agreed with facts given by prosecutors alleging he harassed at least four women on the streets of Lowell in June 2006.

Marzilli made remarks about women's bodies, asked one about her feminine hygiene, and asked another if she was wearing underwear, assistant district attorney Elizabeth Dunigan said.

The presiding judge heard sentencing arguments from both sides this morning and is expected to hand down a sentence later Tuesday morning.

Return to Woburn Patch later today for more details.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Woburn