TOWN HALL VERDICT: Trouette convicted of some battery charges, acquitted on others
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 hours, 16 minutes AGO
Paul Trouette speaks with his attorney during a break from court proceedings Monday.
KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | December 18, 2025 4:40 PM
COEUR d'Alene – A Kootenai County jury delivered a mixed verdict late Thursday afternoon in the case of Paul Trouette, a security company owner accused of battering several people during a chaotic legislative town hall at Coeur d'Alene High School.
Jurors convicted Trouette of two counts of battery against Gregg Johnson and Sarah Forsgren, as well as security agent uniform and duties violations, all misdemeanors.
The jury found Trouette not guilty of two additional counts of battery against Teresa Borrenpohl and Ben Stallings. Trouette was also acquitted on two counts of false imprisonment related to his detainment of Borrenpohl and Johnson.
The jury deliberated for nearly eight hours on Wednesday and Thursday, after a three-day trial.
Sentencing in the case will come at a later date. The combined charges carry a maximum sentence of two years in jail and fines of up to $4,000.
This is a developing story.
ARTICLES BY KAYE THORNBRUGH
TOWN HALL VERDICT: Trouette convicted of some battery charges, acquitted on others
A Kootenai County jury delivered a mixed verdict late Thursday afternoon in the case of Paul Trouette, a security company owner accused of battering several people during a chaotic legislative town hall at Coeur d'Alene High School.
Jury deliberates town hall battery case
The question of whether Paul Trouette committed criminal acts when he helped drag a woman out of a legislative town hall at Coeur d'Alene High School and put his hands on three other people is now in the hands.
Town hall attendees recount removals
When Teresa Borrenpohl decided to attend a legislative town hall put on by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, she said it was because she wanted local elected leaders to receive feedback from a broad spectrum of constituents.