AUSTIN, Texas — Day 7 of testimony wrapped up Tuesday in the murder trial of Austin police officer Christopher Taylor.
The defense kicked off the day of testimony cross-examining Cpl. Michael Decker with the Austin Police Department (APD).
Decker has expertise in "high risk" traffic stops. The defense asked him to outline what those entail while playing a video of the encounter that took place between officers and Michael Ramos, who Taylor is accused of killing. The defense asked Decker to give feedback on officers' interactions with Ramos.
Another witness the state brought up was Dr. Wilson Hayes, who specializes in biomechanics and leads an expert witness consulting firm in Oregon. He analyzed the trajectories of the bullets that hit Ramos.
The state asked Hayes if he believed Ramos presented an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injuries to Taylor, the officers or any members of the public.
"I believe that as a consequence of the above analyses, that Mr. Ramos or his vehicle did not at any time present an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to Christopher Taylor, other officers or members of the public," Hayes said.
Throughout his time in the courtroom, Hayes reinforced that he is not afraid to stand behind his work as a highly accurate exercise by multiple people.
"Like other experts, you rely on other people's works and, at the end of the day, your analysis is only as good as the materials you rely on?" the defense asked.
Hayes said he did not agree.
Later on, the defense asked Hayes more about his findings, leading to this exchange:
"There was a period during your analysis that you misinterpreted something?" the defense asked.
"Of course, it always happens," Hayes said.
"And you got more data and more analysis, and you revised your conclusions a little bit?" the defense asked.
"More than a little bit," Hayes said.
Another witness who testified was Seth Stoughton, a law professor and use of force expert. Going by general policing practices, when asked by prosecutors if deadly force was necessary in this case, Stoughton said no.
The defense has not cross-examined him yet.
Day 8 of testimony starts Wednesday, with the prosecution expected to wrap up their witnesses soon.