Man pleads guilty in theft of Robert Frost papers

[October 02, 2013]  WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. (AP) -- A Vermont man charged with stealing original cards and letters written by poet Robert Frost has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in a deal with prosecutors.

The Valley News reports  that 44-year-old Tim Bernaby of Hartland accepted the plea deal Tuesday on a charge of unlawful taking of personal property. The charge carries a $100 fine.

Police say Hartland took two letters and 13 Christmas cards written by Frost. They say the documents were in a desk donated three years ago to a nonprofit agency where Bernaby worked. He then sold them for more than $25,000.

Bernaby says he found the papers in the trash. Most were addressed to Frost's former secretary. A civil case will determine their lawful owner.

Bernaby had faced a trial on a felony embezzlement charge.

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Information from: Lebanon Valley News, http://www.vnews.com/

[Associated Press]

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