A judge has declared a mistrial after the jury deadlocked in the case of a Vermont sheriff 

A judge has declared a mistrial after the jury deadlocked in the case of a Vermont sheriff accused of kicking an inmate. Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore was charged with simple assault for kicking a shackled inmate in 2022 when he was a captain with the department. The jury on Wednesday spent four hours deliberating before telling the judge it could not reach a unanimous decision. In his closing remarks, Grand Isle State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito argued the incident caught on video was not policing and was assault by an angry, off-duty officer against a defenseless man. Grismore, who took the stand in his own defense, argued the force was not excessive and was within the bounds of his training. He argued he was using his foot to push down the shackled inmate, to prevent him from falling down. A new trial is expected but no date has been set, according to the county clerk’s office.