Justice for Jonathan Ferrell – Kerrick’s Trial Continues
Jonathan Ferrell
Check-in here for the latest up-dates to the Randall (Wes) Kerrick trial, the cop charged with voluntary manslaughter in the killing of Jonathan Ferrell . Yahtzee did a fantastic job keeping us up-to-date last week.
There has been some controversy over the dash cam video that was shown to the jury last week. We must keep in mind that the grand jury saw that video and indicted Kerrick. If videos show that the officer had reason to open fire, then there would be no need for the officer to give a report that misrepresents what is seen on video.
I truly wish that the trial was live-streamed, but there are some portions of it released at the end of each day. We post those in the comment section.
Feel free to join the discussion.
Posted on 08/10/2015, in Cases, Jonathan Ferrell and tagged Jonathan Ferrell, Randall Kerrick, trial. Bookmark the permalink. 68 Comments.
We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident 
Kerrick’s account vs. dash cam video
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Mark Davenport WBTV @TheDavenReport
NOW: #JonathanFerrell’s mom on trial: “It brings me to tears… I don’t want sympathy – I want justice”
Mark Davenport WBTV @TheDavenReport 7m
#JonathanFerrell’s mom says Peace Lily was her son’s favorite flower. She has them all around her house
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Jury resumes watching Kerrick’s interview with detectives, showing how far Ferrell was from him.
Kerrick shows detectives his stance, recounts Ferrell “didn’t flinch” when another officer fired his Taser and missed Ferrell.
“Hey! Stop! Stop!” Kerrick said he yelled at Ferrell.
“As he approaches me, I’m backstepping.”
“When he was about at this distance I fired at him.”
Kerrick demonstrates being on the ground, says Ferrell struck him in the mouth.
Kerrick doesn’t remember Ferrell throwing a punch, but felt a tugging on his gun.
“I’m firing to get him off me. He’s still being aggressive toward me.”
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he said stop stop then fired LESS than one second later……and his claim the bullets were not stopping the victim is simply a LIE. why did the victim fall to the ground after the first volley of shots IF they were NOT stopping him? one of the first shots to hit him(you can tell it hit while he was upright by the trajectory) was a very serious injury that likely would have killed him, there is zero chance he was fighting or being aggressive after that shot hit him and the rest clearly again from trajectory hit while he was falling or was already on the ground…..much like the two shots to Michael Browns head, they could only hit that way as he was falling to the ground or already on the ground.
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YES! I also agree about the first volley of shots. Jonathan no doubt fell toward Kerrick and that is why Kerrick fell to the ground.
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Continuing with investigator’s recorded video of the questioning of Kerrick:
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Kerrick: “The gun wasn’t stopping him.”
Kerrick: Ferrell was “coming right at Officer Little. He was going to attack him.”
Little was the officer with the Taser
Kerrick is asked why his gun was drawn when Little had a Taser.
Kerrick: we’re trained to “go lethal” when another officer has Taser out. “We don’t know” if he’s armed.
Kerrick: Ferrell was coming “at a faster pace than I could back up.”
Kerrick: Ferrell reached for waistband. “Doesn’t take but a second for him to grab a weapon.”
Kerrick: “If I did not act when I did, he could take my gun.”
Kerrick: Ferrell strong>”was completely zoned out.”
In the video, defense attorney Michael Greene begins questioning Kerrick
Greene: “If he was close enough to grab your face, he was close enough to take your weapon?”
Kerrick: “Yes sir.”
Kerrick: Ferrell was coming so fast I didn’t have a chance to run away.
Kerrick: Ferrell “looked really, really pissed off.”
“Just bulked up. He had his mind set on me.”
Kerrick: if I hadn’t shot, “he was going to cause me harm.”
Kerrick: “I had a weapon drawn on him and he just didn’t care. He didn’t care.”
Detective: “At any point did you consider reholstering your weapon?”
Kerrick: “I didn’t have time.”
Elizabeth Leland @elizabethleland
“The first couple of shots did not phase him at all,” Kerrick says.
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I haven’t, and probably won’t, watch the video, does the video ever show Jonathan making contact with the officer?
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Mindy, the video is only being shown in the courtroom with reporters watching it on a monitor. It is not being broadcast to the public.
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Oh, Mindy, I just realized you were referring to the dash cam video (not the interview video).
No, the dash cam video never shows Jonathan making contact with Kerrick because Kerrick was back out of the range of the dash cam.
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So he flat out lied.. what a surprise.
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No, the video shows no contact.
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I really didn’t think it did. I hope hope hope this is pointed out over and over during his trial.
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Doesn’t Kerrick’s story sound suspiciously similar to Darren Wilson’s (the Ferguson cop who killed Michael Brown)?
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Hey Annie. It certainly does, with shades of George Zimmerman.
I have to catch-up, but I wonder if the prosecution has brought out the fact that there were two other officers present and Kerrick was not alone. At any time, did Kerrick shout-out to the other officers that he needed help, or Jonathan was going for his gun, or anything indicating that he felt he was in a life and death struggle?
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More of investigator’s recorded video of the questioning of Kerrick:
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
It’s now 8:30 the morning of the shooting. Kerrick and detectives step out of the interview room.
About 12 hours after the interview concluded, Kerrick was arrested.
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Kerrick’s police uniform is being introduced into evidence.
Mark Becker @MarkBeckerWSOC9
Detective now unwrapping Kerrick’s uniform–shirt, paints, boots and badge
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Defense begins cross-exam of Detective Morales, one of the two detectives who interviewed Kerrick.
Robin Kanady @RobinFox46
Defense brings out #Kerrick’s duty belt, points out there is mud on back of it #kerricktrial
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Kerrick’s duty belt was not taken by detectives. Defense shows it to Morales, points out mud on back.
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Mark Becker @MarkBeckerWSOC9
Defense now questioning Det Morales. Asking why he didn’t take Kerrick’s duty belt with mud on it.
Def atty showing Det there is mud on Kerrick’s shirt
Ditto for his pants.
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Have you noticed that no one so far has mentioned that there was any of Jonathan’s blood on Kerrick’s pants? If Jonathan supposedly reached for Kerrick’s gun or was pulling at Kerrick’s legs, wouldn’t there be blood on Kerrick’s pants? We know that Jonathan was shot at 4 times and then started crawling which to me indicates Jonathan had been hit by those first 4 bullets.
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There was some mention earlier that prosecutors were going to present how Jonathan’s blood got on the hem of Kerrick’s pants.
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Defense is now asking about the cell phone recovered from the driver floorboard in Ferrell’s car.
Elizabeth Leland @elizabethleland
People wonder why Ferrell didn’t use cell phone.
Robin Kanady @RobinFox46
Defense shows picture of cellphone in floorboard of #Ferrell’s crashed car
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Sidebar after prosecution objected to defense questions over warrant for cell phone
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Defense reiterates Kerrick voluntarily went in for questioning only a few hours after the shooting
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Prosecution objects to defense reading statement about Ferrell’s possible use of bath salts.
The bath salts discussion took place between detectives and the medical examiner.
Judge Ervin sends jury on recess, says “something has arisen” he needs to hear in their absence.
Prosecution challenging as hearsay what’s in affidavit for Kerrick’s arrest
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>Amy Cowman @amywccb
Detective Morales reads email defense presents from Morales saying Ferrell walked aggressively towards officers
Defense showing a series of still images @CMPD made from dash cam while questioning Det. Morales
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Defense attorney George Laughrun asks Detective Morales to point out Ferrell on individual frames from the dash cam video.
Robin Kanady @RobinFox46
Defense trying to point out that there were no lights illuminating/shining in #ferrell’s face
Defense also trying to point out that CMPD cars were clearing visible, that #ferrell knew police were responding
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Laughrun: “Did you ever see him have his hands in the air?”
Morales: “I did not.”
Laughrun: “Did you ever see him shield his face from lights?”
Morales: “I did not.”
TWC News Charlotte @TWCNewsCLT
Defense using still pics of Ferrell from dash cam video. Morales: from photo, appears no light in Ferrell’s face.
Elizabeth Leland @elizabethleland
Defense builds its case that Ferrell had to know he was dealing with police officers
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there also appears to be NO light on his arms…….but there clearly is light on his shirt right beside his arms…..so the defense is saying he had no lights on his face or arms that they have headlights on their cars and a spotlight that is VERY narrowly directed, that is stops precisely where his clothing ends……of course a scientist would point out that the color “black” is that color because it absorbs all the light and reflects NONE back so you dont see any color……what ever colors we see are the ones NOT being absorbed by the thing being hit with light something blue is absorbing all the light spectrum except BLUE….same for all the other colors……that picture shows he was bathed in very BRIGHT lights and indeed they were shining into his FACE!
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The investigators’ recorded interview video with Kerrick showing his positioning can be found at this link:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article30595125.html
The clip is 3 minutes 29 seconds
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Laughrun hands Morales a tape measure and they measure ten feet.
Kerrick said Ferrell was within ten feet when Kerrick began shooting
Lunch break
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“Prayer for Peace rally remembers Jonathan Ferrell”
Streamed live on Aug 10, 2015 by FOX 46 Charlotte
Jonathan Ferrell’s mother Georgia and other family members call for #JusticeforJonathanFerrell outside the Charlotte courthouse where police officer Randall Kerrick is on trial for manslaughter.
Jonathan’s mother and brother speak about Jonathan.
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Amy Cowman @amywccb
Back from lunch, defense continues to cross @CMPD Det Morales showing pics of Officer #WesKerrick uniform dirty in back after incident
Defense shows picture of back of officer #Weskerrick after incident w #jonathanferrell, shows mud or dirt on uniform
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Elizabeth Leland @elizabethleland
Defense shows what Ferrell would have seen: “POLICE”
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
In post-lunch cross-exam of Morales, defense zeros in on whether Ferrell’s cell phone was working. Morales says it was.
After spending most of Friday and today on the stand, Morales has been excused.
Testimony now shifts to police training
CMPD Sgt. Ray Williams is the recruit training sergeant at the police academy
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From The Charlotte Observer:
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article30595125.html#storylink=cpy
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From The Charlotte Observer:
With a last round of questions for a homicide detective, prosecutors countered the defense contention that Ferrell could clearly see police on the night he was shot.
A witness testified last week that Ferrell might not have been able to see beyond the bright headlights and spotlights of the police cruisers. But earlier Monday, homicide detective Edwin Morales conceded in response to questions from the defense that there didn’t appear to be any lights shining on Ferrell’s face.
Again showing jurors the photograph of Ferrell walking toward officers, prosecutor Adren Harris asked Morales about Ferrell’s complexion — dark — then took him through a series of quick questions.
“Is the shirt illuminated?”
“It appears to be.”
“Are the pants illuminated?
“They appear to be.”
“… the rock?”
“It appears to be.”
“How about the speed bump?”
“It appears to be.”
“How about that part of the door?”
“It appears to be.”
“You said Jonathan Ferrell had a dark complexion, is that correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
Presumably, the implication was that Ferrell’s face was illuminated, too, but because he had a dark complexion his face didn’t appear to be illuminated in the photograph.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article30595125.html#storylink=cpy
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i wrote a scientific explanation to these points above here where the pictures they used to claim no light were in his face were posted…….FACT = he did have several very bright lights shining in his FACE!
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Bill,
I just read your excellent comment above.
Here is a link to Bill’s comment for those of you who might have missed it.
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ty
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I read that, we know it’s all just BS anyway, to excuse the murder by police of Jonathan Ferrell.
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Sgt. Williams details the use of force training sessions Kerrick had in ’12 and ’13.
9 sessions in ’12, 4 sessions in ’13
Williams reads CMPD policies for using use of force and Tasers
Prosecutor clarifies the policies being discussed right now are for non-deadly use of force
From the Charlotte Observer:
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Elizabeth Leland of The Charlotte Observer has just posted the ” Full transcript of CMPD interview with Kerrick in 2013, a few hours after the shooting” :
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article30622320.ece/BINARY/READ:%20Transcript%20of%202013%20CMPD%20interview%20with%20Officer%20Kerrick
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Coleen Harry WBTV @ColeenHarryWBTV
#KerrickTrial: CMPD Capt Mike Campagna on stand; he’s now the commander of Central Division @WBTV_News
Capt Campagna has a Masters degree in Education: Training & Development;
Capt Campagna worked in patrol, training, and investigations
prosecutor still asking the Capt about specifics about his different roles
courtney francisco @cjfranciscowccb
On the stand now: Capt. Mike Campagna. One of his duties has included assessing officers’ use of force during arrests
Blake Hanson @BlakeWSOC9
Campagna has taught defensive tactics, now known as “subject control” since 1997.
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Campagna was involved in bringing Tasers to CMPD.
Campagna also involved in updating use of force policies
Coleen Harry WBTV @ColeenHarryWBTV
Capt says he worked on developing CMPD’s taser policy
Capt says last 18yrs he’s been an instructor – classes include use of force
Capt teaches classroom course on use of force
Capt says definition of use of force is basically the effort to arrest someone; different levels of use of force
Capt says in Kerrick shooting -he reviewed statements of officers on scene; homicide detectives. Defense objects
sidebar discussion. Defense not happy with something
Capt says he also reviewed 911 calls, radio transmissions, dashcam video and he visited scene
Capt says he identified CMPD policies, training, Kerrick training – associated w/this case
Prosecutor introduces Capt as an expert witness in use of force
Capt says he reviewed Kerrick’s training records
Capt telling jury there are 2 situations when officers can use non lethal force; 1 is prevent escape from custody
Capt says ofrs can use deadly force to defend themselves or someone; stop someone who presents physical threat.
Capt basically explaining when officers can/can’t use force or deadly force, and also firearms
Capt says officers learn how to use pepper spray; gaining control of someone
Capt explaining there are different levels of compliance & non compliance from people being arrested
Capt says Officers have different options in continuum of compliance or non compliance
Capt says officers can use hands to control person or pepper spray, taser;
and the jury is being dismissed for the day; back Tue 9:30a.
Court is done for the day
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Thank you for this YahtzeeB!
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You’re welcome, Mindy.
(I think it would have been more fair to Jonathan if this trial had been live streamed. In my opinion live streaming Kerrick’s trial would not have affected Kerrick’s chance to have a fair trial.)
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Capt. Mike Campagna back on the stand.
Campagna and prosecutor Theresa Postall reviewing use of force policy.
Elizabeth Leland @elizabethleland
Campagna back on the stand, describing continuum of force
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Campagna: officers have choices of how to respond, don’t have to start at level one.
Campagna: “Hopefully the force will reduce the level of resistance.”
Verbal commands are part of the use of force decision
One way of getting someone to comply is “soft empty hand” action targeting pain points
“Hard empty hands” techniques, or fighting, are another response officers are taught
Officers are taught how to maintain control of their weapon if someone is trying to take it out of their holster
Postell: What are officers trained to do if an officer’s gun is drawn and a person is aggressive?
Defense objects to line of questioning
Judge Ervin steps in, asks if CMPD policy allows gun to be pointed at someone who is actively aggressive
Ervin: is the officer authorized to discharge the firearm in that situation?
Campagna: “The CMPD policies would not authorize an officer to discharge firearm” when facing active aggression.
How about aggravated active aggression?
Campagna says yes.
Aggravated active aggression involves threat of death or serious injury
Campagna: we train officers on how to get someone face down on the ground to limit movement
One scenario officers face in training is a sensory overload.
Recruits are put in dark room with flashing lights and loud music, and are confronted by suspects
The trainees have to “work their way out of the situation.”
Kerrick underwent simulated firearms training five weeks before the Ferrell shooting
One aspect of training is techniques to prevent someone from taking an officer’s gun
Postell: when an officer fires, could the weapon recoil hit the officer in the face? Defense objection overruled.
Campagna says it’s possible
Postell asks if officers are trained to react to someone with a knife, and if it’s pulled “at the last minute.” They are.
Amy Cowman @amywccb
Capt. Campania w @CMPD demonstrating a taser to jury and explaining how it works
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Campagna: if officers see an attack is going to happen, they are trained to prevent it from happening.
Campagna reads Taser policy: can’t use it simply because a suspect is coming or the officer thinks they could be armed.
Taser training includes what verbal warnings to give
What are officers taught to do if the Taser misses?
Defense objects to prosecutor asking if deadly force is allowed under policy if Taser misses
Judge Ervin rephrases the question
Campagna: “depends on why the Taser was deployed to begin with.”
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Cleve R. Wootson Jr. @CleveWootson
Prosecutor is making the point that officers have an array of options to subdue a subject before using deadly force.
Campagna: If a taser is deployed during active aggression (threat of injury not death) CMPD policy doesn’t allow for firing a gun .
strong>Amy Cowman @amywccb
Capt. Capagna talks excessive force for officers: “If officer has used taser 3xs w no result then use other options”
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMIn3ulWIAAmFrs.jp
Cleve R. Wootson Jr. @CleveWootson
#CMPD Capt. Mike Campagna demonstrates how officers draw their gun and the safety features of the holster.
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Are officers taught to use lights on their cruisers to affect a suspect’s vision?
Campagna: officers are trained that if they focus light on suspect, they’ll have difficulty seeing where the officer stands.
We’re circling back to what was only teased yesterday: Campagna’s opinion on Kerrick’s actions
Campagna: officers had reason to believe they were responding to a first-degree burglary
Campagna: officers turning off blue lights on scene to mask their arrival was in line with training
A slow-motion, enhanced version of dash cam video is being shown
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Continuing with Campagna on witness stand:
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Kerrick drawing firearm was consistent with training, based on what he was responding to
Campagna: the decision to draw firearm because another officer drew Taser “not consistent with our policy.”
Policy allows gun to be drawn if there’s potential for imminent threat, and officer can “articulate” reason for drawing
Imminent threat must be real, not potential, for weapon to be discharged under policy
Campagna: Taser appears to have been fired after Ferrell begins to run
Campagna: Taser fired from a position behind Ferrell
Snarky comment from defense attorney George Laughrun that the testimony is scripted. Judge Ervin tells jury to disregard that.
You’ll recall one officer on scene said Ferrell began running when red dots were on him
Campagna: Kerrick would have recognized at that point the Taser “was not effective.”
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Back from recess and watching the dash cam video again
Video picks up with Ferrell running off-screen, and Kerrick yelling “Get on the ground!” before the shots.
Campagna: Kerrick should have used non-deadly force, Ferrell was showing “active aggression.”
Officers are trained to bring weapon back toward their body when suspect is within reach
Campagna: As things get more desperate, officers trained to get on ground, putting their body between gun and suspect.
Campagna: “If someone is rapidly approaching me, I would pull my gun back to protect it.”
Elizabeth Leland @elizabethleland
Campagna: Based on Ferrell’s actions, Kerrick should have used “non-deadly force”
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Campagna: Kerrick should have reholstered gun, gone hand-to-hand with Ferrell
Non-deadly force would have been the highest level of force Kerrick should have used
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Cleve R. Wootson Jr. @CleveWootson
Campagna says shooting #JonathanFerrell was not consistent with #CMPD policy.
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Kerrick’s defense begins cross-exam of Campagna #KerrickTrial
With jury out of the room, both sides spar over a card CMPD gives out with advice on what to do when approached by police.
Defense attorney George Laughrun: card says to stay calm, don’t run
Prosecutor: card isn’t relevant, issue is law enforcement’s training and response to situation
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From The Charlotte Observer:
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article30687696.html#storylink=cpy
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Back from lunch break and defense focuses on Kerrick’s mindset when he encountered Ferrell
Defense attorney George Laughrun: “You don’t look at use force cases in 20/20 hindsight.”
Laughrun: “You look at what did the officer know and when did he know it.”
Laughrun references Watergate. I’m sure Judge Ervin’s family has heard of that case.
Going back to gun recoil question, defense says it would have had to be at Kerrick’s cheek for that to be cause of his injury.
Prosecution suggested earlier the recoil of Kerrick’s gun could have caused it
Laughrun brings up again Ferrell’s ability to tell he’s facing police
First trial I’ve covered that Shakira has been quoted
Laughrun questions Campagna about “shrimping” technique for officers to extract themselves from a suspect
Laughrun points out mud and dirt on Kerrick’s backside
Laughrun is trying to use Campagna’s own words against him, citing deposition in Taser lawsuit
Laughrun quotes Campagna as saying use of force is “a dynamic and ever-changing situation.”
Applying Campagna’s past statements to situations at play in the Ferrell shooting
Defense ends cross-exam asking Campagna who pays him. City, which settled civil lawsuit with Ferrell’s family.
Prosecution redirect circles back to whether policy calls for drawing gun as backup to Taser, which Campagna says it isn’t
Campagna: other officer should have handcuffs out, be prepared to put them on suspect after they’re hit by Taser
Campagna: having lethal cover ready for Taser is authorized when deadly force is authorized
Back to defense, Laughrun asks “it would be normal” for someone needing help to run at officers?” Campagna says it wouldn’t.
The state rests
Laughrun sets stage to ask Judge Ervin to dismiss the manslaughter case
Laughrun: “Until today, the state provided no scintilla of evidence” Kerrick committed to manslaughter
Laughrun: “There is not enough to send this case to the jury.”
Laughrun: Campagna is the only witness who says Kerrick committed manslaughter
As expected, motion to dismiss is denied. It’s standard move when prosecution rests.
Judge Ervin says he assumes defense has evidence to present. Laughun: “Ya think?”
Defense begins its case with Western Carolina University psychology professor Dr. David McCord
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“Back to defense, Laughrun asks “it would be normal” for someone needing help to run at officers?” Campagna says it wouldn’t.”
I don’t get that? why wouldn’t it be normal for someone needing help to run towards cops? that’s what I would’ve done if I was desperate?? is that a typo??
well now that i’m seeing what cops are doing these days, I don’t believe i’d run towards them at all. maybe the question was meant in this situation, cuz they say they had their tazers on him & the red lights on his body and if Jonathan then saw them, it wouldn’t be normal to run towards them, it would be normal to run away from them??
I don’t know that part confused me.
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Shannon,
I think the defense was being kinda tricky with that question. The defense did not acknowledge that initially Jonathan was walking towards the officers.
Had the defense asked, “Would it be normal for someone needing help to walk towards officers, I think Campagna would have said “yes.”
I think that Jonathan started his run to escape Ofc. Little’s laser which had been pointed at him and ran blindly into the dark area where Ofc. Kerrick was, not knowing that Ofc. Kerrick was there with his gun aimed at Jonathan.
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Hey Shannon! Sadly, Jonathan is dead and cannot speak for himself, but thinking about his situation, and if I were in his shoes, I would have felt the need to run towards the police He was bleeding. Blood was found on the door to the house where he went looking for help. We have no idea what time passed from the time he crashed his car until he decided to kick out the back window to get out. We have no idea if he waited and if so, how long, before deciding to see if he could get help from someone at one of the houses down the road. He was possibly in pain, thirsty and disgusted. He no doubt felt that the faster he could get help, the better.
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Coleen Harry WBTV @ColeenHarryWBTV
#KerrickTrial: defense calling its 1st witness. Dr David McCord. A psychologist @WBTV_News
Dr McCord is defense expert witness
sounds like Dr McCord will talk about pre employment screening/fitness for duty for officers; he’s explaining it.
Dr McCord says Kerrick’s cognitive abilities better than 70% of public.
Judge tells Dr McCord to slow down while reading reports; gets a laugh from courtroom
Dr McCord going over psychological profile of Kerrick; all high scores.
prosecutor now questioning Dr McCord
under cross examination by prosecutor, Dr McCord says he was never physically at CMPD; just looked over data.
Dr says based on data Kerrick less likely to be bad news producer that other hires.
Dr says he had 2 reports for Kerrick. He’s finished testifying
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
McCord evaluated Kerrick and found him mentally fit to be a police officer
On cross-exam, however, McCord says he didn’t actually interview Kerrick
McCord: evaluation includes looking at likelihood candidate would be in the news for a bad reason
McCord: low probability in what I saw that Kerrick would be one such officer
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Sounds like the mental evaluations the defense just put on bolster the defense expert in video above who said, the second volley of shots could’ve been calculated.
kerrick realized he effed up & calmly decided he’d better keep on shooting cuz it’s better to have a dead victim than an alive witness.
that way the police can just make up any ol thing they want, say anything they want to blame the victim.
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Coleen Harry WBTV @ColeenHarryWBTV
#KerrickTrial: defense calling 2nd witness. Tracy Kirchhofer. She works for CMPD Animal Care & Control
before Ofr Kerrick was a patrol Ofr, he worked for CMPD Animal Care/Control
Kirchhofer did overview report of Kerrick when he was leaving Animal Control 2 go 2 patrol.
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Kirchhoffer reads evaluation of Kerrick, says he stayed late to make sure animal control wasn’t short-staffed
No complaints about relationship with co-workers
“Exceptional” grade for thinking clearly and handling situations well
“Exceptional” grade for calm demeanor
Overall she rated Kerrick as a good officer. She was said to see him leave animal control.
Prosecution’s only question for Kirchhoffer was whether she was at the shooting scene
She was not
Another animal control supervisor, Mark Balestra, takes the stand
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Coleen Harry WBTV @ColeenHarryWBTV
Defense calling 3rd witness. Mark Balestra of CMPD Animal Care/Control 2nd in command @WBTV_News
Balestra talking about performance appraisal. He reviews supervisor’s rating and reviews of employee.
said he signed on Kerrick exceeding expectations as animal control Ofr. He’s now done testifying
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WOW! I slept the day away. A lot has happened in this trial today. I’ll catch-up. Thanks so much Yahtzee for reporting on it. Do I understand that the prosecution has now rested?
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Yes, the prosecution rested.
Hope you feel better.
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Sgt. Kenneth Jones from CMPD’s Hickory Grove Division testifies
Kerrick worked for Jones “during his training and on third shift.”
Jones going over Kerrick’s performance review
“Officer Kerrick has demonstrated his ability to perform under stress.”
Jones went to the shooting scene and to police headquarters “in a support role”
Brody O’Connell WBTV @BrodyOConnell
Sgt. Jones: Kerrick complied with all policies of training and followed safety rules and regulations
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Another sergeant from the Hickory Grove Division, Robert McManus, begins testifying
McManus’ evaluation of Kerrick: exceeds expectations, good character and job ethic
“Generally uses a non-confrontational, non-aggressive” style of communication
“Keep up the good work”
“Exceeds” grade for maintaining calm demeanor, doesn’t overreact
“He follows all safety procedures, adheres to all policies.”
“He frequently volunteers to complete shift activities, work in teams.”
Kerrick “becoming an effective investigator.”
“He is developing into a well-rounded and complete officer.”
Brody O’Connell WBTV @BrodyOConnell
Sgt. McManus noted in his review that Kerrick expresses himself well and uses “non-confrontational style,” has good judgment
Elizabeth Leland @elizabethleland
Sergeant says Kerrick scored a “B” rating in his first year — an “exceeds” rating
Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
On prosecution cross-exam, McManus says officers can make mistakes, both junior and veteran officers
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Chris Miller @ChrisMillerWBT
Judge Ervin sends jury home to address an issue outside their presence
The issue is testimony of another officer who went out on a call with Kerrick in February 2012
The incident involved a misdemeanor, and Kerrick and the other officer both drew Tasers
Afterward, a lieutenant told Kerrick and the officer that when one officer draws a Taser, the other “needs to be lethal.”
The prosecution’s use of force expert said today that’s not CMPD policy
Judge Ervin isn’t sure “the event” is relevant, “but what a senior officer” noted about training is.
Judge wants to hear the officer’s testimony
Officer C.T. Thompson, Jr., worked with Kerrick in Hickory Grove Division
Thompson and Kerrick met with a lieutnenant “a few days after” the incident
“We felt the subject was armed, possibly with a weapon. He would not show us his hands.”
“We were told when someone is non-lethal, someone else needs to be lethal.”
Both officers drew Tasers. They were instructed that one “should have had lethal, one should have had non-lethal.”
Prosecution: “Isn’t it true that what you were told is that two Tasers should not be used in a deadly force situation?”
Prosecutor calls this confusing and misleading
Judge Ervin: “Isn’t this the equivalent of putting into evidence what the defendant was trained?”
Ervin: “It has some bearing on what a reasonable officer might do.”
(Note…I think they are still discussing this issue even though it has been 15 minutes since Chris Miller’s last tweet. I will let you know if there are more tweets from him today.)
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5:15 p.m.: Past incident raises questions about Kerrick’s training
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article30687696.html#storylink=cpy
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Here’s a link to a video of the prosecution’s last witness.
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/cmpd-use-force-policy-testimony-be-heard-kerrick-t/nnHJc/
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Your link doesn’t seem to be working.
On another topic:
Samuel Sinyangwe @samswey 26m26 minutes ago
CA Gov. Brown signed legislation today securing the right to film the police and abolishing grand juries re: police killings. Progress.
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Hmmm. Maybe they are doing something on the server in because I’m now unable to access the WSOTV site directly.
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