Fired deputy who was charged with assault wins sheriff race

A fired Vermont sheriff’s deputy who was charged with assault for kicking a shackled prisoner has received the election for sheriff of the county in which he served.

John Grismore, 49, of Fairfax, won Tuesday’s race to grow to be Franklin County sheriff, surpassing the two publish-in candidates, in accordance to the Vermont secretary of state’s business office.

Grismore was the only candidate on the ballot following profitable equally the Republican and Democratic nominations in the Aug. 9 most important. But he was suspended and then fired right after a movie showing Grismore kicking a prisoner on Aug. 7 was publicized the day just after the key.

The county Republican and Democratic get-togethers then threw their guidance at the rear of the compose-in candidacy of Sheriff’s department Lt. Mark Lauer, a 27-calendar year Vermont State Police veteran who has been at the division for almost a decade.

Grismore mentioned Monday he appreciates that “voters ended up afforded an option to have an understanding of the points and situations.” He contends that the info about his suspension, which he referred to as a personnel make a difference, and the online video were being “leaked” with no context. He also has preserved that he used the minimum amount amount of money of pressure important to avert the prisoner from spitting on him and other deputies.

“I feel a whole lot of folks could see that this positive felt like a political ploy to undermine a marketing campaign,” he claimed in a phone interview.

In August, present-day Sheriff Roger Langevin named Grismore’s steps “egregious” and mentioned he had been notified by deputies. He referred the situation to the Franklin County State’s Attorney’s Office environment, which asked for a point out law enforcement review.

Past month, Grismore pleaded not responsible to uncomplicated assault and stated Monday that he’s assured he will be acquitted.

Lauer said Monday that it was difficult race as a compose-in applicant. “I had just about a few months to do my campaigning and consider to get my title out there,” he claimed. “It was a difficult condition to be in.”