COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – The sheriff who ordered a woman’s removal from a Republican town hall and the security company owner whose team dragged her out both took the stand Wednesday to explain what went wrong at that February town hall.
Paul Trouette, owner of Hayden-based Lear Asset Management security company, faces battery and false imprisonment charges for the incident at Coeur d’Alene High School, where his team forcibly removed Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl and others from the meeting.
The defense called Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris as a witness during the third day of trial, leading to heated exchanges during questioning. When prosecutors challenged Norris about his legal expertise, the sheriff responded sharply.
“No, I’m not a lawyer. I make an honest living. I’m not a lawyer, no,” Norris said when asked if he was a lawyer by Coeur d’Alene Chief Deputy Attorney Ryan Hunter.
Norris testified that he attended the town hall to both give the pledge of allegiance and address a security threat against a legislator, and that he remained on high alert because of the danger. He said the atmosphere became tense as attendees began disrupting the proceedings.
“The temperature of the room had reached a flash point, had I not done something that something would’ve likely sparked off,” Norris testified.
The sheriff further defended his decision to order removals in testimony, saying he prevented a potential melee.
Later Wednesday afternoon in court, Trouette took the stand in his own defense, testifying he acted under Norris’s command.
“I assisted to help remove so that we could keep Ms. Borrenpohl reasonably safe,” Trouette testified.
“To remove anybody I didn’t take that action, I followed the action of the sheriff,” he said.
However, prosecutors maintain Trouette’s actions were violent and that his team overstepped their bounds.
Both sides presented closing arguments late Wednesday. The jury is expected to deliver a verdict soon.
The Idaho Attorney General’s Office investigated the incident but did not file charges against Sheriff Norris. In the aftermath, Lear Asset Management’s business license was revoked in Coeur d’Alene.
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