A Boscawen man accused of firing a handgun at another man after an argument was found not guilty of attempted first-degree assault and two counts reckless conduct.
Derek Dussault, 35, who had been incarcerated for 4 ½ months while awaiting trial, was found not guilty on all three felony charges after a two-day jury trial last month.
Dussault and his attorney argued that Dussault was defending himself on the night of June 20, 2018.
“The alleged victim attacked my client repeatedly, which caused him to fire his weapon,” public defender Jaye Duncan said this week. “We’ve maintained all along this was a case of self-defense.”
The Boscawen Police Department arrested Dussault after witnesses at a party at 5 Bailey Drive said he shot at another man after a brief physical fight, police said.
Dussault called the station from his home and told police what happened. A group of officers drove to his house to arrest Dussault, where he surrendered without incident, police said.
Dussault was released from custody on Oct. 31, following the day and a half-trial at Merrimack County Superior Court.