Ex-Portsmouth officer's trial for alleged assault of Black bank executive postponed

HAMPTON — The trial for Aaron Goodwin, a former sergeant with the Portsmouth Police Department charged in the alleged November assault of a local Black bank executive in downtown Portsmouth, has been rescheduled for September.

Mamadou Dembele, a vice president with Bangor Savings Bank, was the alleged victim in the Nov. 22 incident outside Gilley’s Diner. In December, Dembele went public with his allegations, which he and his attorney, Robin Melone, labeled a racist attack.

Goodwin’s trial was on the docket to begin Tuesday morning in Hampton District Court. But the prosecutor sought a new trial date, citing a scheduling conflict, court documents show.

Assistant Strafford County Attorney Joachim Barth asked for a new trial date due to his involvement in prosecuting an aggravated felonious sexual assault case that continued into Tuesday. Through his attorney, Goodwin agreed to have the trial postponed.

The request also asked the court if it granted the request to work around dates Dembele plans to travel so he can attend the trial.

Barth’s request for a continuation in Goodwin’s case was granted by the court Monday.

A new two-hour trial date in Goodwin’s case has been set for Sept. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in the Hampton court before Judge Michael Zaino.

The Eliot, Maine resident, 45, was charged by New Hampshire State Police in March with simple assault, a Class A misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, which is a violation. Goodwin has pleaded not guilty to the two counts.

More: Aaron Goodwin's 'violent' assault, racial slurs by family members detailed by prosecutor

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ex-Portsmouth officer Aaron Goodwin's assault trial postponed