UPDATED: December 16 at 6:48 p.m.
The second day of the trial of Paul Trouette concluded on Tuesday. The proceedings included emotional testimony from Teresa Borrenpohl herself. She described the physical and emotional injuries she claims to have suffered during the incident.
Borrenpohl alleged she was left with bruises and lacerations all over her body. She described the experience as “violating, dehumanizing and embarrassing.”
When security guards approached her, Borrenpohl said she asked them who they were but received no response. She then claimed she was grabbed by the guards. Borrenpohl identified a third person, Paul Trouette, who she said forcibly pulled her arm.
Borrenpohl recounted being pushed to the ground and dragged out of the meeting.
“It was absolutely humiliating,” she said, describing how she tried to grab onto a chair with her feet as she was being dragged.
When questioned by the defense about whether she thought the sheriff might kidnap her, Borrenpohl said, “I had no idea what they were capable of.”
“It was incredibly painful,” Borrenpohl said. “There was a lot of adrenaline at the same time, and I just remember to getting…tighter and tighter and tighter – the grip. They were pulling my hair. And when I was face down on the…ground, one man was sitting on my buttocks and the other man kneeled with his knee between my shoulder blades.”
The trial is set to continue, with Sheriff Norris expected to testify on Wednesday. A key question in the trial is how the jury will weigh First Amendment protections against the sheriff’s authority to command security guards.
If Trouette is convicted, he could face up to six months for battery and one year for false imprisonment. However, he is facing four counts on each charge, which could affect sentencing. The trial was expected to conclude on Wednesday, but it remains uncertain at this time.
UPDATED: December 15 at 5:45 p.m.
The trial of Paul Trouette, owner of Lear Asset Management, charged with multiple counts of battery and false imprisonment, as well as two other city charges, began today. Trouette’s charges stem from an incident at a Kootenai County Republican Central Committee town hall meeting in February of 2025, where Teresa Borrenpohl was forcibly removed. Marc Stewart, a member of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee and Coeur d’Alene School District employee, testified that he was not informed about any contracted security company for the event. Stewart stated that Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris was believed to be acting as security. City Prosecutor Ryan Hunter emphasized in his opening statement, “This case is not about politics, it’s about people.” He added, “People should be able to make their voices heard without violence.”Trouette’s attorney, Josh Hanners, highlighted the Idaho law granting citizens authority when called upon by the sheriff. Sheriff Norris reportedly directed security guards to remove Borrenpohl and, allegedly, other people. Rathdrum Police Chief Dan Haley, who led the investigation, testified that city code requires security guards to be marked as security.A witness claimed the guards at the town hall were not marked. Video evidence from Sheriff Norris was shown, capturing him directing the guards to remove Borrenpohl. In the video, Norris was asked if he had handcuffs, to which he replied no, and someone mentioned having zip ties. Multiple people questioned the identity of the security guards, but Norris did not respond, according to the video. Ben Stallings, a witness at the town hall, claimed a security guard grabbed him. Stallings, who attended with his visually impaired wife, said Sheriff Norris told him to leave after shouting something.He described being separated from his wife and feeling anxious as the security guard grabbed him, he said. Testimonies from Teresa Borrenpohl and Sheriff Norris are expected later this week. The trial is anticipated to last two more days.
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – The trial for Paul Trouette, owner of the security company involved in the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee town hall, is set to begin today.
Trouette faces multiple charges, including two counts of false imprisonment and four counts of battery.
His security company employees removed Teresa Borrenpohl from the event under the direction of Sheriff Bob Norris.
Sheriff Norris is expected to testify at the trial, along with others associated with the event.
NonStop Local will be in the courtroom to provide updates on the proceedings.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: December 14 at 6:55 p.m.
