PORTSMOUTH — A defamation lawsuit filed against the Portsmouth Police Department has been dismissed by a Rockingham County Superior Court judge.

James McKenzie, the plaintiff in the suit, alleged now-retired Portsmouth police Capt. John Peracchi defamed him in a televised March 2022 interview on WMUR-TV, days after McKenzie was arrested on alleged simple and sexual assault charges. McKenzie was found not guilty of both charges.

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