Denver police and protesters painting other realities in federal trial
The cops and protesters concerned within the 2020 racial justice demonstrations on the state Capitol are portray starkly other footage about what it seemed like at the flooring.
Why it issues: It is as much as jurors to make a decision whose model to imagine — and the view they undertake will underpin the remainder of the trial.
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Riding the scoop: On Monday, former Denver police officer Keith Valentine and present Lt. Michael O’Donnell took the stand.
What protesters are pronouncing: Cops’ movements “blew my thoughts” and mirrored a “use of drive I have by no means dreamed I’d enjoy,” stated Sara Fitouri, a union organizer and resident of Denver, who is without doubt one of the 12 injured protesters suing the town.
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She recalled a close-by protester who was once trapped in an alley, teargassed and screaming, “We are going to die — they will kill us!”
What police are pronouncing: “I noticed not anything that alarmed me or involved me or that I felt was once out of doors” the Denver Police Division’s use-of-force insurance policies, stated Valentine, who now works for a producer of frame cameras for police.
The massive image: This split-screen view is defining the first-of-its-kind trial, now coming into its 2d week.
What to look at: The times to come back will come with extra testimony from plaintiffs, police commanders and third-party mavens. The trial is predicted to remaining 3 weeks.
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