Alstead Resident Receives Sentence Following Shooting Incident

In an established plea bargain Fitzgerald received a prison sentence that could range from 12½ years to 20 years.

An individual from Alstead, Jeremy Fitzgerald, aged 48, has been sentenced in connection with a shooting that occurred in September 2022. The sentencing took place in Cheshire County Superior Court in Keene, where Fitzgerald admitted guilt to multiple charges including first-degree assault and reckless conduct involving a firearm, all categorized under domestic violence. He also faced charges related to an assault on a fellow inmate while he awaited trial.

As established in a plea bargain, Fitzgerald received a prison sentence that could range from 12½ years to 20 years. The terms include a potential suspension of up to 7½ years depending on a ten-year period, while another 20-year suspension hinges on the completion of his parole conditions. Prior to his sentencing, he was credited with approximately 3½ years served.

Fitzgerald was apprehended following the shooting of a woman known to him, resulting in her sustaining critical injuries that necessitated surgical intervention to remove a bullet lodged in her brain. Despite surviving, the victim has reported significant long-term effects including difficulties with mobility and vision.

During the proceedings, the victim conveyed the severe impact the incident had on her life, describing a traumatic brain injury that has drastically altered her daily existence. She expressed that her sense of safety has been forever compromised, affecting her ability to drive, work, and care for her children as she once did. She expressed that while the perpetrator might serve a defined sentence, the consequences of the act will haunt her indefinitely.

The state attorney, Kerry O’Neill, acknowledged Fitzgerald's lack of a prior criminal record but emphasized the necessity of a considerable prison term due to the profound effects on the victim's life. Fitzgerald's attorney noted his client is fully aware of his actions' repercussions and has shown deep remorse, highlighting his participation in restorative justice programs during incarceration.

A restorative justice director mentioned in a letter to the court that Fitzgerald engaged in over 80 hours of related programming, aiming to inspire others within the correctional facility. The presiding judge, Anne Edwards, urged Fitzgerald to reflect on his learnings from the restorative program and expressed commendation for the victim's courage. She advised her to utilize all support systems available for her and her family.