Overview
- On Day 3, first responder Jesus Rojas remained on the stand as the defense pressed him on not arresting Melissa Perez before she retreated to her apartment.
- The defense argued that prying open and cutting the fire alarm system constituted burglary of a building, pointing to a 911 call and reported damage exceeding $2,000.
- Body-camera video from Officer Robert Ramos showed him kicking Perez’s door, posing as housekeeping and asking if she was a gang member, which the defense framed as escalation rather than de-escalation.
- Earlier testimony and video indicated Perez was speaking erratically but not physically aggressive toward Rojas, who also said no SAPD mental-health unit was available for the call.
- Key evidentiary rulings remain pending, including whether jurors will hear about a federal dismissal of the family’s civil suit or references to the Castle Doctrine, as the joint trial continues with serious prison exposure for all three ex-officers if convicted.