The case of Vermont Sheriff John Grismore, who was charged with assault for kicking a shackled detainee twice in the groin, ended in a mistrial for a second time on Monday. Grismore had previously faced a mistrial in July after a jury deadlocked, and his second trial began last week. After three days of deliberation, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision, leading to another mistrial. Grismore expressed gratitude to the jurors who maintained their convictions but frustration that a unanimous verdict of not guilty could not be reached.
Grismore was elected sheriff in November 2022, just months after being fired from his position as a captain in the sheriff’s department for the incident involving the shackled detainee. In the video footage, Grismore can be seen kicking the detainee in the groin twice while the man is handcuffed and shackled. Grismore pleaded not guilty to a charge of simple assault in connection with the incident. Despite the controversy surrounding his actions, Grismore was the only candidate on the ballot for sheriff after winning nominations from both the Republican and Democratic parties in the primary election.
Following the incident, the Vermont Criminal Justice Council found that Grismore violated the state’s use of force policy in December 2023. The council voted 15-1 in favor of permanently revoking Grismore’s law enforcement certification, effectively preventing him from enforcing the law in Vermont. A special legislative committee later recommended against impeachment of Grismore but suggested that he should step down from his position as sheriff, claiming that he was doing a disservice by remaining in office. In response, Grismore expressed disappointment in the time and money spent on the process and stated that he would not resign, citing the support he has received from Franklin County voters and residents.
Despite the challenges and controversy surrounding his actions, Grismore remains adamant about his decision to stay in office as the sheriff of Franklin County. While facing multiple mistrials and recommendations for resignation, Grismore continues to defend his position and the support he has received from the community. The case has raised questions about the accountability of law enforcement officers and the consequences they face for their actions. As the legal proceedings continue, the future of Grismore’s career as sheriff remains uncertain.
