Law enforcement uses roadblock to find jurors for Sheriff John Grismore’s trial

At a judge’s request, the Grand Isle Sheriff’s Department pulled cars over in front of the North Hero courthouse Thursday. If people were eligible for jury duty, they were sent inside for selection to an upcoming assault trial.

By Graham Krewinghaus
July 12, 2024, 2:17 pm


Jury selection for the trial of Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore took place Thursday in North Hero, but the typical court summonses did not produce enough people to seat a full jury. To fill the remaining seats, the court took an unusual approach: pulling drivers over in front of the courthouse.

Grismore faces a charge of simple assault in Grand Isle County Superior criminal court for kicking a person in custody in August 2022. His trial is scheduled to begin July 22.

In an interview Friday, Grand Isle State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito said that Judge Samuel Hoar has the authority to direct the sheriff to find prospective jurors from the public, as happened Thursday afternoon. He said that due to the highly publicized nature of the case, the court dismissed more prospective jurors than usual and ran out during the selection process.

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There is a legal provision in Vermont that allows judges to “order the sheriff or other court officer to summon, with or without process, a sufficient number of judicious persons from the county to fill” a jury if there are insufficient prospective jurors present.

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