Former Townsend reserve officer cleared of domestic assault and battery – Sentinel & Enterprise

AYER Former Townsend reserve Police Officer Christopher VanVoorhis was found not guilty on a charge of domestic assault and battery in Ayer District Court on Monday.

VanVoorhis case was heard in a bench trial before Judge Matthew McGrath. The lone witness to testify was Officer Christopher Tucker from the Townsend Police Department, who arrested VanVoorhis.

The spouse of VanVoorhis, who was the alleged victim, elected not to testify in the trial. After initially choosing not to invoke the marital privilege, his spouse elected to invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. However, the defense submitted six photographs showing bruises and scrapes on her arms, knees and one of her wrists that were allegedly a result of the incident.

According to McGrath, he found the testimony from Tucker to be credible. However, he noted the commonwealth failed to persuade him beyond a reasonable doubt that the actions of VanVoorhis were not in self-defense.

The alleged incident happened on June 19. According to Tuckers report, VanVoorhis was driving his spouse to her Townsend residence when an argument broke out. Tucker said the argument may have been precipitated by past infidelity on the part of VanVoorhis.

During the incident his spouse allegedly threw several items inside the vehicle including a styrofoam container and a cellphone holder.

VanVoorhis allegedly tried to restrain the victim with an armbar technique used by police as a restraint. The commonwealth argued he tried to forcefully remove his spouse from the vehicle.

Townsend Police were asked to investigate by Leominster Police as the incident was believed to have occurred in town. VanVoorhis was arrested by Leominster Police and subsequently transferred to Townsend.

Tucker said when he interviewed VanVoorhis he did not show much emotion and was breaking eye contact.

During his testimony, Tucker said his arrest was based on probable cause. He said he relied on the testimony of both parties involved with the incident and his prior experience with domestic violence cases.

At the time of his arrest, Townsend Chief of Police James Sartell said VanVoorhis had resigned his employment as a reserve officer with the department. He had been placed on administrative leave prior to that. The department was still conducting an internal review regardless of the resignation, Sartell said.

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Former Townsend reserve officer cleared of domestic assault and battery - Sentinel & Enterprise