Fredericton police officer theft charge a mistake says lawyer

The lawyer for the Fredericton police officer accused of shoplifting in Maine says the incident was an honest mistake.

Fredericton police Const. Cherie Campbell visited Marden's Discount Store in Houlton, Maine on Dec. 2, 2014.

Her lawyer, TJ Burke says his client never intended to steal anything from the store.

"She put two or three types of lipstick eyeliners in the cart. These items fell through the holes a couple of times. She picked them up and put them in her pocket," he explained.

Burke says Campbell paid for a number of other items, left the store and was then asked to return by an employee.

"She automatically realized that the items were still in her pocket. Apologized for it and thenthe Houlton Police were called and arrested her," he said.

Campbell was tried in May on a charge of theft by unauthorized taking.

The jury failed to reach a verdict. Burke says they voted six to three to acquit Campbell.

Retrial proceedings begin next month.

Word of the chargecomes as other Fredericton police officers are being investigated for misappropriation of funds and for driving while impaired.

Two more officers currently face on-duty conduct investigations.