Former Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore is on trial for the second time on a charge of simple assault, after a mistrial was declared in July when a jury could not reach a unanimous decision. Grismore was seen on surveillance video kicking a shackled detainee in the groin twice when he was a captain in 2022. Grismore, who was elected sheriff in November 2022, was fired from his position as captain after the video surfaced and pleaded not guilty to the assault charge.
In the video, the detainee refused to stay seated on a bench while being detained at the sheriff’s office, prompting Grismore to kick him in the groin. Grismore, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, then kicked the man a second time after he stood up again. The incident led to Grismore losing his law enforcement certification in Vermont after the Vermont Criminal Justice Council found that he violated the state’s use of force policy. A special legislative committee recommended against impeaching Grismore, but suggested that he step down from his position as sheriff.
Despite the recommendations for him to resign, Grismore stated that he would not step down from his position as sheriff and expressed disappointment in the time and money spent on the process. He noted that he was pleased with the support he had received from Franklin County voters and residents, who he believed had been vindicated by backing him. Grismore was the only candidate on the ballot for sheriff after winning both the Republican and Democratic nominations in the August 2022 primary.
Grismore’s initial trial this summer resulted in a mistrial after the jury could not come to a unanimous decision following four hours of deliberations. Grismore expressed disappointment that the jury did not acquit him and declined to comment on his second trial. The case has garnered significant attention after the video of the assault was made public, leading to investigations and discussions surrounding Grismore’s actions and his fitness to serve as sheriff. The trial for the assault charge is ongoing, as a jury was selected and the trial began in the afternoon.
The incident involving Grismore kicking the shackled detainee in the groin raised concerns about the use of force by law enforcement in Vermont, leading to discussions around policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Vermont Criminal Justice Council’s decision to permanently revoke Grismore’s law enforcement certification highlighted the severity of the incident and the need for accountability in cases of excessive force by law enforcement officers. The outcome of Grismore’s second trial will have implications for his future as sheriff and could impact public perception of law enforcement in Franklin County.
