Melted evidence endangers stolen ice sculpture case

The second law of thermodynamics is threatening to overrule the laws of Massachusetts as the only evidence against two Salem men charged with stealing the head of a dragon ice sculpture has been reduced to a puddle of water. “The head of the dragon has melted away,” Salem Police Lt. Andre Ouellette said.



Psychologist William B. Hare, 47, and Rajendra Srivastava, 30, both of Pleasant Street, were charged with larceny over $250 for twice making off with the head of a dragon ice sculpture early on Feb. 12 that was part of a downtown celebration that weekend. The hunk of ice was put in a freezer in the evidence lockup, but Oullette said when officer Nancy O’Donnell was inspecting the fridge, she discovered the melted head.

Ouellette said it appears a faulty plug is to blame for the now water-logged evidence. In 38 years on the job, Ouellette said he’s never seen a case literally melt away in front of him, and he hoped it would not hurt the prosecution. “It’s not like he’s going to Walpole over the thing,” he said. “They take everything into consideration. They’re pretty flexible.”



Hare’s lawyer, Marc Salinas, said he plans to file a motion to dismiss the case. Salinas said he filed a motion after the pair’s arraignment to preserve the evidence, meaning the frozen dragon head was court-ordered to be kept on ice until trial. “The Salem Police Department is one of the best on the North Shore and I’m sure this wasn’t done intentionally,” Salinas said. “But it doesn’t change the fact that my clients have a right to confront the evidence brought against them in court.”