ROCHESTER, N.H. (Court TV) — A New Hampshire man who shot his neighbor six times was acquitted of an attempted murder charge.
Jason Levesque listens to closing arguments. (Court TV)
Jason Levesque shot Kyle Violette six times on April 4, 2024, in an altercation over snow plowing. He was found not guilty of attempted murder, however, the jury convicted him of first-degree assault.
He is facing up to 15 years in prison at his sentencing, which will be scheduled at a later date.
In their opening statement, the defense said Levesque shot Violette in self-defense. Prosecutors said video shows Levesque shooting Violette five more times after he fell to the ground, calling the shooting “absolutely unnecessary and unjustified.” Their daughters reportedly witnessed the altercation.
The shooting left Violette severely injured. Following a bail hearing for Levesque, he told Foster’s Daily Democrat he still has bullets in his body that cannot be safely removed.
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 8 – 3/21/25
- The jury finds Levesque not guilty of attempted murder and guilty of first-degree assault.
DAY 7 – 3/20/25
- In their closing arguments, the prosecution argues the shooting was premeditated and unjustified and that Levesque’s narrative is a self-serving fabrication. The defense argues Levesque believed he was under threat and Violette was violent and out of control.
DAY 6 – 3/19/25
- The judge denied a defense motion to acquit based on self-defense.
- Defendant Jason Levesque took the stand to testify in his own defense.
- Levesque became emotional talking about his daughter, to whom he is a single parent.
- Levesque described Kyle Violette coming out of his house, threatening to kill him and his family during a previous interaction, prompting him to install security cameras on the property.
- On cross, Levesque conceded that he never called the police to report the previous incident.
- Describing the shooting, Levesque said he felt that Violette wanted to harm him and his family, prompting him to fire his gun.
- During cross-examination, Levesque conceded he never saw a weapon or saw Violette move toward his daughter.
- The defense rested its case-in-chief.
DAY 5 – 3/18/25
- State rests its Case-in-Chief.
- Detective Jacob Garstin, a Rochester Police officer, testified about his role in transporting and interviewing Jason Levesque after the shooting.
- Despite feeling lightheaded and fatigued from being awake for over 40 hours, Jason cooperated fully and recounted the altercation with Kyle.
- He described Kyle as aggressive but never mentioned seeing a weapon. Jason stated he fired multiple shots, removed his magazine, and called 911, apologizing to his daughter, who was in the truck.
- During cross-examination, the defense emphasized Jason’s exhaustion and possible impaired judgment.
- The court viewed portions of Jason’s police interview, and both sides questioned Garstin on Jason’s perception of the threat and the number of shots fired.
- The prosecution highlighted that Jason waived his right to an attorney and remained consistent in his statements while the defense focused on Kyle’s agitated state that night.
- WATCH: Detective: Levesque Suggested Exhaustion Led to Him Shooting Neighbor
DAY 4 – 3/15/25
- Prosecutors told the Court that the “state and county suffered a debilitating cyber attack” on Friday, forcing their systems to shut down. Testimony was suspended and will resume on Tuesday.
- Outside the presence of the jury, the judge heard three defense motions: a motion for a mistrial due to the state not calling victim Kyle Violette, a motion to dismiss and a missing witness jury instruction. The judge took the motions into consideration and said he would issue a ruling later.
DAY 3 – 3/14/25
- Rochester Police Detective Kyle Danie returned to the stand and describes finding shell casings and blood in the street.
- Emergency Room Doctor John Freese testified to his treatment of Kyle Violette.
- Violette was pale and confused as a result of low blood pressure when he was admitted; he was paralyzed, sedated, intubated and placed on a ventilator.
- Violette appeared to have a total of six gunshot wounds: with two to his chest, one to his stomach and two in his pelvic and buttock region.
- Dr. Freese described the injuries as life-threatening and said Violette’s blood pressure was incredibly low.
- The defendant’s daughter, Kira Levesque, testified and was joined on the witness stand by an emotional support rabbit.
- Kira expressed extreme anxiety and an inability to remember many of the events on the day of the shooting.
- WATCH: Jason Levesque’s Daughter Testifies With Emotional Support Bunny
DAY 2 – 3/13/25
- Kyle Violette’s girlfriend, Angela LaChance, testified that the night of the incident, there was concern about snow accumulation in front of their driveway, and Levesque had a history of pushing snow in front of it.
- LaChance observed the confrontation from their home and expressed concern that Levesque might act irrationally moments before Violette was shot, and that Violette did not brandish any weapon during the confrontation.
- LaChance detailed Violette’s injuries and long recovery, including stays at several hospitals and struggling with PTSD.
- During cross-examination, LaChance confirmed she had never spoken to Levesque before the incident and that while he was not plowing their driveway at that moment, he had previously created issues by pushing snow in front of it.
- WATCH: Kyle Violette’s Girlfriend Emotionally Recalls Shooting
- The jury is shown body camera footage from police officers who responded to the scene, and surveillance video that captured audio of the shooting.
DAY 1 – 3/12/25
- The jury is taken on a view of the crime scene ahead of opening statements.
- Prosecutor Joachim Barth tells the jury that Jason Levesque shot Kyle Violette six times in a dispute over snow, claiming self-defense. However, Barth tells the jury that Kyle’s behavior was non-threatening and he was unarmed during the encounter. Barth calls the shooting “absolutely unnecessary and unjustified.”
- Defense attorney Mark Sisti tells the jury that Levesque believed he was in imminent danger and Violette “got what he deserved.” In his opening statement, Sisti portrayed Violette as unstable and out of control, and asked the jury how they would react in Levesque’s situation.
- Kyndra Violette, Kyle Violette’s daughter who witnessed the incident, testified she looked out the window of their home and saw her dad returning to their house when Levesque pulled out a gun.
- The jury sees home surveillance video that captured part of the incident.
- WATCH: Violette’s Teen Daughter Sobs Recalling Seeing Levesque Shoot Dad
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