Officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons Faces Judge, Waives Jury Trial

North Andover police officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons waived her right to a jury. A judge will now decide her case in a bench trial expected to last less than a week. The trial is slated to begin Monday at 9 a.m. before Lawrence Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Karp.

Officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons Faces Judge, Waives Jury Trial was announced during a March 18, 2026 hearing. Fitzsimmons is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. Prosecutors say the alleged incident occurred on June 30, 2025.

Allegations and injuries

Prosecutors contend North Andover officers were serving a restraining order that day. The order came from Fitzsimmons’ then-fiancé. Officers also planned to take custody of her son, who was four months old at the time.

Authorities allege Fitzsimmons pulled out her service weapon and pointed it at another officer. That officer then shot Fitzsimmons in what prosecutors call self-defense. Fitzsimmons was hospitalized for weeks with a collapsed lung before her eventual release.

Defense account and court actions

Fitzsimmons has said she pointed the gun at herself. She maintains she was suffering from postpartum depression at the time. During the March 18 hearing, she agreed to waive a jury and be tried by Judge Karp.

The judge questioned Fitzsimmons on the record to ensure she understood the waiver. The prosecution did not oppose the decision. Judge Karp then accepted the waiver and set the bench trial schedule.

Relationship disclosure

Before Fitzsimmons took the stand, prosecutors asked the judge to note a prior connection. Judge Karp and defense attorney Timothy Bradl began their careers together as assistant district attorneys in 1995. Karp told the court they worked in different district courts at the time.

The prosecution did not seek Karp’s recusal. The judge told the court he is confident he can be fair and impartial.

Personal matters and pretrial rulings

At a recent hearing, Judge Karp allowed Fitzsimmons to move into an apartment on her own. He also cleared her to begin seeking custody of her son. Fitzsimmons said much of her life had been put on hold and that she looks forward to parenting again.

Why the defense chose a bench trial

WBZ-TV legal analyst Jennifer Roman explained strategic benefits of a bench trial. She noted bench trials avoid time-consuming jury empanelment. She also said the defense may prefer a judge as factfinder for sensitive issues in the case.

The bench trial is expected to conclude before the week ends. Jury selection had been scheduled to begin Monday before Fitzsimmons waived that right.

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