Uvalde Officer's Trial Paused After Witness Alters Testimony
The trial of former Uvalde school district police officer Adrian Gonzales was unexpectedly halted after a key witness changed her testimony, leading to defense objections and a potential mistrial motion.
The trial of former Uvalde school district police officer Adrian Gonzales faced an unexpected delay after a key witness altered her testimony, prompting defense objections and a potential mistrial motion.
Stephanie Hale, a former teacher at Robb Elementary School, testified that she saw the gunman on the south side of the campus, near where Gonzales was stationed. This account differed from her previous statements given during a 2022 legislative investigation. Defense attorneys argued that this discrepancy was not disclosed earlier, leading to the jury's dismissal until Thursday while the court addresses the issue.
Gonzales faces 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment, with prosecutors alleging he failed to confront the shooter despite being among the first officers on the scene. Special prosecutor Bill Turner stated that Gonzales, a veteran officer, arrived before the shooter entered the school and had a duty to engage. Defense attorney Nico LaHood countered that Gonzales acted based on the information available to him at the time and should not be held responsible for the massacre.
The trial, relocated to Corpus Christi due to concerns about seating an impartial jury in Uvalde, is expected to last about two weeks. Gonzales and former Uvalde CISD police chief Pete Arredondo are the only officers criminally charged in connection with the 2022 shooting that resulted in the deaths of 19 children and two teachers.
Source
Texas Public Radio | TPRFact-checking
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