Suspect was subject of May 9 arrest video

Julien Lemert, 20 in Brattleboro police custody Saturday morning. Personal effects, blood belonging to Lemert on hood of police cruiser. Photos by Hank Poitras.

By Guy Page

Hank Poitras, AKA ‘Planet Hank,’ the controversial news videographer of Brattleboro police responding to calls and making arrests, was the subject of a home invasion and assault by a person he said Monday was subject of one of his videos.

Julian Lemert, 20, of New York was arrested Saturday morning in Brattleboro after police say he assaulted the resident of a home. According to Brattleboro Reformer report and information provided by Poitras, he was treated at a hospital for injuries, jailed, and held without bail pending a bail hearing today (Tuesday June 23) in which his lawyers are expected to seek his release.

Poitras is concerned that, if released, Lemert will seek retribution again for Poitras’ May 18 video of the May arrest for assault. In the video, Lemert can be seen asking “Why are you filming? Hmm?” The incident Saturday began shortly after Poitras, asleep at home, heard his dog barking loudly. Recordings below were conducted Monday afternoon by VDC over Facebook Messsenger – the suspect destroyed Poitras’s phone. VDC apologies for the spotty sound quality and editing.

Shocked, Poitras shut the blinds.

Poitras then opened his door and yelled after the man – who responded with a home invasion.

A potentially deadly tussle between the angry rugby playing college student, armed with a knife, and the 43-year-old retired Marine and martial artist ensued.

Able to avoid knife strikes, Poitras then pushed himself off the man. The retired U.S. Marine,and Iraq War veteran practiced in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, said “Jiu-jitsu saved my life,” he said. “The training worked exactly how it was supposed to. It allowed me to control the knife hand long enough to escape.”

Police detained the suspect. The incident left Poitra more committed than ever to videoing police encounters with suspected perpetrators – but he plans to be more cautious.