COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (Flux Daily) — A jury’s decision in the high-profile case stemming from a tumultuous legislative town hall found Paul Trouette guilty of two counts of misdemeanor battery, while acquitting him of four other charges concerning a Democratic candidate's forcible removal from the event.
The Kootenai County jury deliberated for nearly eight hours before reaching a mixed verdict, which has stirred heated discussions following the chaotic meeting captured in a viral video. Trouette was found guilty of breaching guidelines regarding security uniforms and two counts of battery against attendees who intervened during the incident.
During the February town hall, Teresa Borrenpohl, a candidate for the state legislature, was seen being pulled from the audience after heckling speakers. The footage, which circulated widely, shows Sheriff Bob Norris recording the event as unidentified security personnel forcibly removed Borrenpohl, raising questions about the legitimacy of their actions due to their lack of identification.
The Idaho Attorney General’s office has opted not to pursue charges against Sheriff Norris, although local prosecutors pursued misdemeanor charges against Trouette, who owns the security firm involved. Initial charges against his security team were later dropped.
Following the trial, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ryan Hunter stated, “Justice was done,” reflecting on the jury's verdict. Meanwhile, Trouette declined to comment after the trial concluded.
The meeting, held by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, was marked by vocal disagreements between attendees, heightening tensions that culminated in the violent removal of Borrenpohl. Defense attorneys argued that Trouette was acting under directives from the sheriff, who has the authority to enlist public assistance in performing their duties. However, prosecutors contended that there was no direct command given regarding the removal of individuals, which meant that Trouette's actions fell outside of lawful conduct.
Victim Borrenpohl described her experience as physically painful, alleging her constitutional rights were infringed during her removal. She has since filed a tort claim against Kootenai County, which may lead to a lawsuit if not resolved within a stipulated timeframe. Her attorney indicated that there has been no response from the county regarding this claim.
