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September 7, 2010

Cop cleared in taser incident

By J.J. Huggins jhuggins@eagletribune.com

HAVERHILL — District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett today dropped the charges against Kingston Police Officer Joshua Waller, who had been charged with tasing a fellow police officer.

Waller, 26, of Methuen was arrested in Haverhill in July on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after he allegedly used a taser on Lawrence police Officer Daron Fraser, 39, of Raymond.

Waller, who was off duty, claims he was trying to stop Fraser from assaulting the Lawrence officer's girlfriend — a charge both Fraser and the girlfriend denied.

Fraser also was arrested by Haverhill police and charged with domestic assault and battery and assault on a pregnant woman.

Fraser is due in Haverhill District Court on Thursday to decide whether to have a bench trial or jury trial, said Steve O'Connell, spokesman for Blodgett's office.

The charges against Waller were dropped today in Haverhill District Court, according to Waller's attorney, Thomas Torrisi.

"Our contention from the beginning was that there was no criminal conduct on Mr. Waller's part, and that his actions were justified under the circumstances," Torrisi said in a statement. "The Kingston, N.H., Police Department has a dedicated officer in Mr. Waller, and I am confident he will prove to be a valuable asset to that department. With this result, we can enter one in the win column for justice."

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