Overview
- State District Judge Ron Rangel denied a directed-verdict motion after prosecutors closed their case on the 15th day of trial.
- The defense asked the court to take judicial notice of a federal decision finding the officers’ response reasonable, which the judge recognized only for the hearing and not for the jury.
- Retired SAPD homicide detective Mark Duke testified for the defense that lead investigator Ronald Soto’s work was neither thorough nor well executed given the quick arrests.
- Cross-examination highlighted audit logs showing Soto did not view all 15 body-camera videos and left key details, including family accounts of Perez’s mental health, out of warrant materials.
- Former Sgt. Alfred Flores and former Officer Eleazar Alejandro face murder charges and former Officer Nathaniel Villalobos faces aggravated assault, as the defense argues exigent circumstances based on a prior hammer charge, a thrown candle injuring an officer, and concern for an elderly resident.