Pubdate: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 Source: Boston Globe (MA) Copyright: 1999 Globe Newspaper Company. Contact: P.O. Box 2378, Boston, MA 02107-2378 Feedback: http://extranet1.globe.com/LettersEditor/ Website: http://www.boston.com/globe/ MAN ACCUSED OF DRUG DEALING LISTS OCCUPATION AS DRUG DEALER BRATTLEBORO, Vt.- Norman Hardy Jr. pleaded innocent to drug charges. But when asked to list his occupation? Well, he sent a mixed message. "Selling drugs," he said. Hardy, 22, of Brattleboro was arrested on Saturday after police received a tip that he was returning to Vermont from Springfield, Mass., with a half-ounce of crack cocaine. The caller gave a description of the car Hardy was driving and a partial license plate number, according to arresting officer Michael Carrier. A record check showed Hardy's driving privileges had been suspended. Police officer John Frechette spotted the car as it exited Interstate 91, Carrier said. Hardy was stopped in Brattleboro by Carrier, who recognized him. Hardy was initially arrested for driving with a suspended license, Carrier said. A small pipe was found in the front passenger seat and State Trooper David Magdycz and his dog, Shadow, were called in to do a drug search. Hardy admitted to having cocaine and turned it over to police, Carrier said. The two "rocks" of crack cocaine weighed 14.4 grams, Carrier said. There are 28 grams in an ounce. Hardy appeared in Vermont District Court on Monday. On an application for a public defender, Hardy listed his occupation as "selling drugs," according to court records. He also claimed $6,000 in income for the previous 30 days, an amount Deputy State's Attorney Susan Kennedy said made him ineligible for public assistance. Public Defender Paul Berch, while acknowledging that Hardy might have incriminated himself in his application, said his client didn't have a dime to his name. "Money goes in, money goes out it's the nature of that type of work the state referred to," Berch said. In granting Hardy a public defender, Acting Judge David Gibson said selling drugs did not qualify as wage income. The judge ordered Hardy held on $5,000 cash bail. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea