At the dawn of William Harrison's trial for allegedly assaulting Gregory Vrooman, Harrison's lawyer, Clifford Strike, told the jury not to focus on the act, but the thinking behind it.

On September16 at the Sagadahoc County Court House in Bath, the trial began for Harrison, who is charged with aggravated assault following an April 2012 incident. The state of Maine alleges Harrison struck Vrooman several times in the face while Vrooman was awaiting a verdict in a trial of his own.

Vrooman was charged with four counts each of unlawful sexual contact, unlawful sexual touching and assault against Harrison's daughter, who was between 12 and 13 years old.

Vrooman, a former Maine State Trooper, had been engaged to Harrison's ex-wife and was living with the victim. Following his conviction and the assault, Vrooman was sentenced to five years in prison with all but 21 months suspended.

Strike said the trial wasn't about whether or not Harrison struck Vrooman, but what state his mind was in when the incident occurred.

“Nobody has the right to take justice into their own hands,” Strike said. “But, one element to take away is, what was my client's state of mind?”

Lincoln County Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Liberman said that while Vrooman was eventually convicted and might not be the most likeable person, he still has rights.

“The laws of our state protect everyone equally,” Liberman said in his opening remarks to the jury. “Remember that when you decide whether or not you find (Harrison) guilty.

“This is not a referendum on whether or not you like Gregory Vrooman. It's simply about whether or not Mr. Harrison did intentionally and seriously cause injury to Vrooman.”

Liberman then described the injuries Vrooman sustained, which he said fell well into the realm of serious bodily injury.

“(Vrooman's) concussion was severe enough that he doesn't remember the incident,” Liberman said. “All he remembers is sitting in court then waking up in the hospital.”

The trial will continue Tuesday, Sept. 17, and Wednesday, Sept. 18, with a verdict expected Wednesday.

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-633-4620 or bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen