Convictions reversed against former police commissioner

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Supreme Court has reversed convictions against a former Portsmouth police commissioner whose partner shot at a teenager who mistakenly thought the couple's home was a party venue.

The court on Tuesday sent the case of Brenna Cavanaugh back to Rockingham Superior Court for a new trial. Cavanaugh was convicted of being an accomplice to attempted first-degree assault and being an accomplice to criminal mischief. Her lawyer argued that the judge was wrong in not allowing a self-defense jury instruction during her trial last year.

Her partner, Mark Gray, who was charged in the same case for admittedly firing a gun, was granted a self-defense instruction at his own trial. He was found not guilty of all charges.

Police said Gray fired shots at a pickup truck driven by a teen who entered the couple's Portsmouth home in August 2018. Cavanaugh was accused of telling Gray to "get your gun," then "shoot" or "shoot him."

Police said the teen, who wasn't hurt, went to the address based on a text message he had received.

Cavanaugh, who lost her job, had said the truck was being driven toward them when the shots were fired. She denied saying "shoot."