WCCO - CBS Minnesota
@WCCO
·
10h
Court resumes with testimony from MPD's Katie Blackwell, who has been on the witness stand for all of today and most of yesterday.
Blackwell says the officers should have rendered aid to #GeorgeFloyd when he went unconscious/rolled him on his side. Their actions were inconsistent with MPD policy, she said.
On duty to intervene policy, Blackwell says the actions of Thao, Lane and Kueng were “inconsistent” with MPD policy/training. She didn't see any of the 3 ex-officers intervening
Blackwell says Thomas Lane's question if they should roll over #GeorgeFloyd did not count as intervening. She says duty to intervene would require the officer doing something.
Defense atty Thomas Plunkett (represents J Alexander Kueng) now up for cross examination.
Plunkett asks Blackwell if recruits should reflect what they learn in training out on the street. She agrees to that.
Plunkett asks if the US Attorney General brought out a patterns and practice investigation into the training department she ran previously before becoming the 5th Precinct inspector, she agrees.
Plunkett brings up that a hired private investigator from the defense attempted to call Blackwell several times but she didn’t return the call. She said she receives a lot of calls that she doesn’t return.
Plunkett mentions that Blackwell and #DerekChauvin have known each other for a long time, they were community service officers at the same time. They had interactions from “time to time.”
Plunkett asks Blackwell if pre-hire psychological evaluation of #DerekChauvin was looked at before he was made a field training officer, she said it wasn’t looked at due to dept practices.
Plunkett asks Blackwell if police are trained for two hours on standing at attention and standing at ease. She agrees and said it's important. He asks if it’s like the military. She says it’s similar.
On “orders given by staff members” policy, Blackwell asks if recruits should show immediate/unquestioned obedience, to which Blackwell agrees.
With this line of questioning, Plunkett appears to be comparing the Mpls Police Department to the military: questions about uniform, recruits standing at attention, being ordered to their feet, not to argue with instructor, etc.
Plunkett asks Blackwell if “old habits die hard” when it comes to training changes/updates, she agrees.
Defense atty Thomas Plunkett notes that a duty to intervene training has a link to video that’s no longer available. Another video had Al Pacino’s speech from “Any Given Sunday.”
Court taking afternoon break.
Court resumes but quickly goes into sidebar.
Following sidebar, Plunkett is now back up for cross-examination of Blackwell. Discussing FTO (field training officer) program, which Blackwell previously supervised.
Plunkett asks if the FTO is the closest thing to a supervisor that a young recruit has. Blackwell agrees.
Blackwell developed a 40-hour development program for FTOs. Plunkett notes there is one test for the program.
Going over MPD FTO handbook… Plunkett notes that “nothing in the handbook addresses the duty to intervene.” Blackwell agrees.
Plunkett is apparently demonstrating the hobble position, but is out of view of court cameras.
Plunkett shows body camera footage, noting that Kueng had his knee on #GeorgeFloyd’s buttocks, not his back.
Plunkett ends questioning. Judge notes that "everyone is tired" so court will be wrapping up. Court to resume with MPD 5th Precinct Inspector Katie Blackwell on Monday morning.
link:
https://twitter.com/WCCO
