For the first time since his August arrest, Channel 9 heard from John Derossett, the 65-year-old man accused of the attempted murder of three sheriff's office agents during a Port Saint John prostitution bust.
One of those deputies, Casey Smith, was critically injured while trying to arrest John Derossett's niece.
Mary Ellyn Derossett accepted a plea deal in her case. Now, John Derossett hopes to fight the charges against him from outside the jail.
"I intend to be exonerated in this case," John Derossett said Friday. He has been in either the hospital or jail since his arrest.
He didn't elaborate on his plans, but according to court documents, John Derossett claimed he was coming to his niece's aid on the night of the shooting. He said he didn't know the men at the door were deputies when he fired a warning shot.
"It was like the O.K. Corral out there. There were bullet casings everywhere. We don't know whose casings were whose. There were bullet holes in the house. As I stand here today, I don't know whose bullet was in Casey Smith," defense attorney Steve Henderson said.
Prosecutors said the defense has already been provided with some ballistics evidence.
"This case involves three law enforcement officers getting shot at multiple
"A perfect storm came together that evening
A judge
John Derossett's daughter, Julie Lamonde, was in court to offer support to her father.
"I just decided to quit my job so I could come down here and bring my kids and go through this with my dad – through the trial," Lamonde said.
Her father's attorney said that is likely to be a long process.
John Derossett faces life in prison if he is convicted.
One of those deputies, Casey Smith, was critically injured while trying to arrest John Derossett's niece.
Mary Ellyn Derossett accepted a plea deal in her case. Now, John Derossett hopes to fight the charges against him from outside the jail.
"I intend to be exonerated in this case," John Derossett said Friday. He has been in either the hospital or jail since his arrest.
He didn't elaborate on his plans, but according to court documents, John Derossett claimed he was coming to his niece's aid on the night of the shooting. He said he didn't know the men at the door were deputies when he fired a warning shot.
"It was like the O.K. Corral out there. There were bullet casings everywhere. We don't know whose casings were whose. There were bullet holes in the house. As I stand here today, I don't know whose bullet was in Casey Smith," defense attorney Steve Henderson said.
Prosecutors said the defense has already been provided with some ballistics evidence.
"This case involves three law enforcement officers getting shot at multiple
"A perfect storm came together that evening
A judge
John Derossett's daughter, Julie Lamonde, was in court to offer support to her father.
"I just decided to quit my job so I could come down here and bring my kids and go through this with my dad – through the trial," Lamonde said.
Her father's attorney said that is likely to be a long process.
John Derossett faces life in prison if he is convicted.
WFTV
