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Police Officer's Early Jail Release Puts Spotlight On Obscure Law

The case of a former New Hampshire police officer who served a fraction of a one-year jail sentence for a hit-and-run accident that injured two teens has placed a spotlight on an obscure law.

Veteran Manchester police officer Steve Coco was convicted of two felony counts of misconduct and sentenced in March to a year in jail.

Coco was out of jail after 72 days under a law that gives county jail superintendents the authority to release convicts after they serve 14 days.

A judge on Thursday ordered Coco back to jail, saying his release was inappropriate and noting Coco had been drinking the night of the crash. He returned to jail Friday.

Coco's lawyer says he will appeal to the state Supreme Court.

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