PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A jury found a Portsmouth police officer not guilty on charges related to shooting a burglary suspect in the back.
That verdict was reached Thursday after roughly three hours of jury deliberation.
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Officer Jeremy Durocher stood trial this week, initially facing an aggravated malicious wounding charge. Judge William Shaw III lessened that charge to malicious wounding and then again lessened the charge to unlawful wounding in response to motions made by defense attorneys during the trial.
Durocher was found not guilty of unlawfully wounding, not guilty of the lesser assault and battery charge, and a firearms charge was deemed moot.
The case revolved around an Oct. 29, 2017 incident. That day, Durocher was one of the first members of law enforcement on scene to a burglary-in-progress at a home on Tatem Avenue. Officers were establishing a perimeter when Durocher said he saw burglary suspect Deontrace Ward point a gun at him and then begin running.
Durocher's body camera footage was reviewed over and over during the trial. It shows Durocher give commands as Ward runs, shoot at Ward twice, call out that the suspect had a gun, and shoot at Ward twice more. He shot Ward in the back, arm, and shoulder.
The suspect, Ward, was found to have a loaded gun in his pant leg. He survived the shooting and later pleaded guilty to armed burglary. He served time and has since been released.
Officer Durocher is still employed by the Portsmouth Police Department.
The case hinged on whether Durocher's actions were appropriate for a member of law enforcement.
Durocher took the stand in his own defense Wednesday. Defense attorney Nicholas Renninger said his client's testimony was important for the jury to hear.
"I think when the jury heard him, they heard his heart and they knew that he meant no ill will in this tragic situation," said Renninger.
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A wave of emotions ran across Durocher's face when the not guilty verdict was read.
"I'm ready to have my life back, get back to work, just move on with my life," Durocher told reporters after the trial.
Commonwealth's attorneys said no matter the outcome, the case was important.
"The Portsmouth Commonwealth's Attorney's Office stands by its decision to present this matter to the grand jury and to proceed to trial. Despite the jury's decision today, our team stands proudly by our victim and at all times stands in opposition to the excessive use of force by those sworn to serve and protect the members of our community," stated Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie Morales.
Defense attorney Renninger said, in this case, the jury got it right.
"This individual that he apprehended was committing a felony and was armed. This officer did exactly what he was supposed to do. If this officer had been punished for that it would have had a chilling effect I think for police officers across the country and you would have seen many officers not willing to do their jobs and protect the citizens that they have sworn to protect," said Renninger.
He, and Durocher hope this outcome will be a "reset" for all involved.
"I just feel vindicated. Just ready to go back to work and my life. I'd like to not talk about [the incident] any more if I can," said Durocher.
Durocher plans to continue serving as a police officer and wants to keep the people of Portsmouth safe.
