In a morning press conference Wednesday, Lincoln Corbette, chief of policy for the regional law enforcement agency, made a stunning announcement: active-duty police officer Jean Langlais has been formally charged with the murder of Jerbia Paul, a resident of Portsmouth.
Corbette opened his remarks by voicing deep regret that such a violent, unlawful killing has been tied to a member of the police force, an institution built on the public promise to protect and serve community members. “This is a failure that cuts to the core of what we stand for,” he noted, acknowledging the breach of public trust that comes with a case of this nature.
The police leader emphasized that the investigation into Paul’s death is still active and evolving. To protect the integrity of ongoing investigative work and avoid compromising potential evidence or court proceedings, he declined to disclose most specific details about the case, including the alleged motive and timeline of the killing.
While he confirmed that only limited information can be released to the public at this stage, Corbette pledged transparency moving forward, promising to share all appropriate updates as the case progresses toward trial. Speaking both as a law enforcement leader and a parent, he extended heartfelt condolences to Paul’s family, describing the killing as an unimaginable tragedy that has shaken the entire local law enforcement community.
Corbette closed his statement with a firm commitment to accountability, saying investigators would leave no stone unturned in building the case. He guaranteed that every individual connected to Paul’s murder will face the full consequences of their actions under the law.