Overview
- On day 12 of trial, Det. Ronald Soto said body-camera video showed Melissa Perez was not close enough to reach officers when shots were fired, and he filed arrest warrants about 16 hours after the shooting.
- Judge Ron Rangel barred questioning about warrants and whether officers were justified in trying to arrest Perez inside her home.
- Defense lawyers argue the three ex-officers fired because they feared for their lives and cite potential exigency tied to an elderly, bedridden man Perez had been helping.
- Family witness Daisy Nieto described Perez’s schizophrenia, delusions about being spied on, reported methamphetamine use, and efforts to secure treatment including a brief rehab stay.
- Police and Soto testified Perez cut apartment fire-alarm wires, locked herself inside behind a closed glass door, and threw a candle at an officer before officers reported she charged with a hammer.