Jury determines Sheriff Ed Troyer didn't break the law during 2021 911 phone call

Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer was found not guilty Wednesday on two charges connected to a January 2021 incident involving a Black newspaper carrier.

It took the jury less than a day to make its decision.

Troyer faced one charge of false reporting and one charge of making a false or misleading statement to a public servant after he allegedly claimed on an officer line to 911 dispatch that Sedrick Altheimer, a Black newspaper carrier, threatened to kill him in January 2021. Troyer pleaded not guilty to the charges in October 2021.

The state Attorney General's Office filed the charges against the sheriff after Gov. Jay Inslee referred the case to the office. The Attorney General's Office cannot initiate a criminal investigation unless it receives and accepts a referral from a county prosecutor or governor.

“Part of upholding the rule of law is respecting the decision of a jury,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson said. “I appreciate the jury’s service, and thank my team for their hard work.”

Altheimer's attorney in a separate civil lawsuit, Vonda Sargent, called the verdict "disappointing." Sargent said Troyer made contradictory statements during the incident that should have led toward a guilty verdict. Essentially, she said, the jury said one of the officers who testified during the trial was not trustworthy.

[PennelopeWhitmore]

They wonder why police are out of control. Then let them off when they do stuff like this.

[njekshun]

Courts and police dept works together, they gotta look out for each other thats how it works

[kjrey]

I watched all the trial videos and got fully caught up yesterday (the day before the verdict). This was unbelievably frustrating that Troyer got off scott free on BOTH counts.

[carlrobert]

Each juror got 2 get out of jail free cards

[jackmason]

Even if he was found not guilty he has been exposed as a person of no credibility he out and out lied and for that reason alone he should be placed on the Brady list

[ronaldsmith]

Wonder how many jurors the crooked sheriff got his gang to threaten ??

[James-dxvs]

Troyer acted like a total juvenile delinquent during that entire episode.

[JR-lbng]

Blind jurors who will allow this POS Sheriff to go on breaking the law.
This is exactly what is wrong with the US Justice system.
So now this piece of crap gets to go back and continue allowing his officers and himself to take advantage of innocent citizens. Absolutely disgusting

[robertmoss]

Guarantee he was drunk that night when he done all that

[daryllbunn]

The bastard is guilty! As usual, cop gets away with criminal action!

[ShainAndrews]

So in this judicial district. You may now make any claims you wish on a 911 call. When the DA tries to make fuss or press charges. Motion to dismiss and cite this case.

[joshtibbetts]

My condolences to Pierce County residents. No justice. Troyer committed perjury.

[mattvasquez]

Time to take them out. and not to dinner.

[jzhott]

But of course justice isn't served when it's the police policing the police. Jury of my peers my ass.

[rosemarywalker]

Absolutely the wrong decision was the jury listening to the the tapes, I think they scared of a guilty verdict because me is still the chief and reprisals .

[ploppill]

jury nullification is a thing, right OJ?

[theiran]

The community will never trust him again. They'll be calling for his resignation. If not daily, then at least weekly.
Only a fool would vote for him again...

[ICU-Witness]

"Water seeks it's own level" was a phrase I was taught long ago. Good seeks out good, rats congregate with other rats, and the Blue always backs its own regardless of the facts.

[crrassh]

Garbage acquittal thank you judge for helping another racist cop go Scott free.

[williamzander]

What a world they picked the jury and dam well knew that he would walk .😂