Two Vermont state troopers have been referred to court diversion after facing charges of reckless endangerment for firing bean bag rounds from a shotgun at a man who was behaving irrationally. The incident occurred on June 17, 2022, in Newfane, resulting in the man falling from a roof and sustaining a head injury.
State Police Sgt. Ryan Wood, 37, and Trooper Zachary Trocki, 30, both pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment in May. The attorney general's office announced that the case will be referred to court diversion, emphasizing the importance of healing and moving forward for all parties involved.
Attorney General Charity Clark expressed her hope that the referral to court diversion will facilitate a process of restorative justice, allowing the victim, the police officers, and the community to address the harm caused and work towards resolution.
According to the troopers' lawyer, David Sleigh, Wood and Trocki acknowledge that better training could have led to a different outcome in the situation. They view the diversion process as an opportunity for personal growth and improvement, aiming to enhance their training and that of their colleagues. Additionally, they hope that the victim will find satisfaction through this process.
