Marzilli’s attorney Terrence Kennedy told the Herald that his client, 52, wants to put the case behind him.
Boston.com reported he pleaded guilty to six charges and admitted to sufficient facts to a seventh, more serious charge. That plea acknowledged that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him, Boston.com said.
On that charge, his lawyer asked the judge to continue the case without a finding for three years, meaning the charge would eventually be dismissed.
Prosecutors asked for a guilty finding, a year in jail and four years of probation. The Herald reported that Terrence Kennedy said he would ask for probation.
Marzilli’s wife, two sisters and about a dozen other supporters were present for the hearing, including Arlington Selectman Clarissa Rowe.
The former legislator was taken to the Billerica House of Detention, where he began serving his sentence.
Indicted in July 2008, he was originally scheduled to face trial the following April, but there have been a variety of delays. The Arlington Democrat was indicted on charges including annoying and accosting a person of the opposite sex, attempt to commit an indecent assault and battery, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest, according to the office of Middlesex District Attorney Gerard Leone.
The case was on hold until last year because Marzilli’s lawyers had appealed an attempted indecent assault and battery charge, said Cara O’Brien, a spokeswoman for Leone’s Office. Last June, the state’s highest court ruled that prosecutors could pursue the charge.
Marzilli had been free on $1,500 bail.
Marzilli resigned after his arrest, but was seeking his pension. The retirement board had postponed action until the criminal case was resolved.
The liberal served Arlington for more than 17 years, mainly as a state representative until 2007, when Robert Havern left his Senate seat. That December, Marzilli ran for the seat and won.
The first report of the guilty plea was posted here at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22. The first report at Wicked Local was 12:16 p.m. that day.
