A mistrial has been declared once again in the case of a sheriff from Vermont who is accused of assaulting a shackled man by kicking him twice in the groin in 2022. The judge declared the mistrial for the second time as the jury could not reach a unanimous decision in the trial of Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore. This decision comes after a previous mistrial was declared when the jury deadlocked in July.
The trial of Sheriff Grismore began last week and the jury deliberated for three days before informing the judge on Monday that they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. Grismore had been charged with assault for the incident that occurred while he was a captain. Following the mistrial, an email was sent to Grismore for his comments on the matter, while the county prosecutor could not be reached immediately for a statement.
The confrontation in question took place when a video surfaced showing Grismore kicking a shackled detainee who was refusing to remain seated at the sheriff’s office. The detainee was handcuffed and shackled at the time of the incident. Despite the charges against him, Grismore pleaded not guilty to simple assault.
After the video came to light, Grismore was relieved of his duties as a captain in the sheriff’s department. However, he went on to be elected as the sheriff in November 2022, with no other candidates on the ballot. In December 2023, the Vermont Criminal Justice Council found that Grismore had violated the state’s use of force policy and subsequently voted for him to permanently lose his law enforcement certification in Vermont.
Although a special legislative committee recommended against impeachment, they did suggest that Grismore step down from his position as sheriff. In response to these developments, Grismore expressed his disappointment in the time and resources spent on the process. He stated that he had no intentions of resigning and was grateful for the support he has received from Franklin County voters.
The ongoing saga surrounding Sheriff Grismore’s actions has divided opinions, with calls for accountability and consequences on one side, and staunch support from his constituents on the other. As the case continues to unfold, the fate of Sheriff Grismore remains uncertain, with the mistrial further prolonging the resolution of this controversial matter.