Article - May 8, 2008 - WTNH

Chiropractor sentenced in open court

By Crystal Haynes

New Haven (WTNH) _ A New Haven chiropractor was granted accelerated rehabilitation Thursday for taunting a woman with bizarre phone messages.

Britt Harwe testified passionately in open court saying chiropractor Dr. Steve Piserchia's actions were cruel and cause for severe punishment. The judge agreed, calling his actions immature and even stupid, but in the end the court delivered a punishment it says fits this crime.

It's been almost a year since Harwe, a chiropractic stroke activist, came home to disturbing messages on her answering machine.

Dr. Piserchia received two years accelerated rehabilitation which leaves his chiropractor's license intact and gives him a clean record after the two years.

"He needs more punishment than that. This is a healthcare provider that's treating people, that's licensed by the state," Harwe said. "People look to him as a caregiver and this is the way he acts toward people that he injured."

Defense Attorney John Cirello said the sentence is fair, pointing out that his client has suffered enough in the court of public opinion. "He's a small business owner in town and he deals with a lot of other businesses in town and the exposure in the media was relentless."

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