COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — The owner of a private security company that allegedly dragged a woman out of a Coeur d’Alene town hall went on trial Monday.
Paul Trouette, owner of Hayden-based Lear Asset Management, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including battery and false imprisonment. The charges stem from a February incident at a Kootenai County Republican Central Committee town hall at Coeur d’Alene High School’s auditorium.
Trouette’s team is accused of forcibly removing Teresa Borrenpohl and others from the town hall meeting. The state claims in court today that they overstepped their bounds since they were volunteering without a contract and weren’t dressed as security.
As witnesses took the stand Monday, one described the scene as intense, with clothes and hair being pulled during the chaos of Borrenpohl’s removal.
The orders for removal were allegedly given by Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, who said their behavior was disruptive. The Idaho Attorney General’s Office did not file charges against Sheriff Norris for his involvement, but did file them against Trouette.
The defense team laid the groundwork to justify Trouette’s team’s actions.
They say Sheriff Norris, who was off duty, asked civilians including Lear’s team to help out, which they argue makes their actions justified. They also believe the detention of those people was legal because of Sheriff Norris’ orders.
Both sides are banking on video footage to make their case to the jury. The state signaled to the jury that they aren’t going to be able to show it all. They are electing to show the moments of conflict during this trial but are giving jurors an option if they’d like to view more.
The trial continues Tuesday at 9 a.m. in Coeur d’Alene.
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