Former North Andover police officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons was found not guilty of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on Thursday after a four-day bench trial in Lawrence. Essex Superior Court Judge Jeffrey T. Karp delivered the verdict following three days of testimony, including Fitzsimmons' own defense. She waived her right to a jury trial, leaving the decision to the judge.
Fitzsimmons was accused of pointing a gun at a fellow officer, Patrick Noonan, during a confrontation at her home on June 25, 2025, while police were serving a restraining order filed by her ex-fiancé, Justin Aylain. Prosecutors alleged she attempted to fire the weapon at Noonan, who shot her in the chest during the encounter. Fitzsimmons maintained she was attempting to take her own life and never pointed the gun at officers.
After the acquittal, Fitzsimmons expressed relief, stating she had been separated from her son and forced to sell her home. Her legal team, including former Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, criticized the prosecution for failing to properly investigate the case. Judge Karp cited reasonable doubt in his decision, stating the Commonwealth did not meet its burden of proof.
The trial highlighted tensions surrounding mental health, police conduct, and domestic disputes. Fitzsimmons' defense argued she was experiencing postpartum depression at the time of the incident. The case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in personal crises.