Portsmouth, New Hampshire – A former Portsmouth police sergeant, Aaron Goodwin, faces allegations of assaulting a local bank executive, Mamadou Dembele, in a violent incident outside Gilley’s Diner. The assault, detailed in a court filing by Assistant Strafford County Attorney Joachim Barth, involves Goodwin allegedly slamming Dembele to the ground and causing a concussion. Goodwin’s sister-in-law also reportedly directed racial slurs at Dembele and bystanders during the altercation.
According to Barth, the encounter began inside Gilley’s Diner, where Kevin Goodwin, Aaron’s brother, made derogatory remarks towards Dembele, insinuating that he could not afford a good cigar due to his race. The situation escalated outside the diner, with Kevin and Shannon Goodwin allegedly making demeaning comments and gestures towards Dembele. Aaron Goodwin then reportedly physically assaulted Dembele by “horse-collaring” him and slamming him to the ground.
Charges were brought against Aaron Goodwin, Kevin Goodwin, and Shannon Goodwin by the New Hampshire State Police in connection to the incident. Aaron Goodwin is facing charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct, to which he pleaded not guilty. The case is set for a bench trial scheduled for next month.
Barth’s objection to the defense’s motion to block witness testimony regarding alleged racist comments argues that such remarks are crucial to understanding the full narrative of the event. Goodwin’s defense maintains that he did not use any racist language during the incident and acted in defense of his sister-in-law. Surveillance footage of the altercation has not been released to the public.
Despite the allegations, no hate crimes have been filed in connection to the case. The New Hampshire attorney general’s office continues to review the incident, while Dembele and his attorney have denounced the incident as a racist attack. Kevin and Shannon Goodwin, who face charges related to the altercation, have not yet turned themselves in to authorities.
The case has sparked debate over the use of force and self-defense, with the prosecution arguing that Goodwin’s actions were not justified due to his sister-in-law’s alleged provocation of the incident. The defense maintains that Goodwin acted in defense of his family and did not make any racially derogatory comments during the altercation.
The Portsmouth Police Department initially investigated the incident before handing over the case to the state police to avoid a conflict of interest. The upcoming trial will shed light on the details of the altercation and the roles of all parties involved.