(Kennett, MO 11/18/2009)
The Heather Ellis trial is now in day two. For the first time, jurors and those in the courtroom got to see a glimpse of what happened in aisle 13 of the Kennett, Missouri Wal-Mart in 2007. Surveillance video was admitted into evidence Thursday. It doesn't show any faces but shows video of aisle 13's conveyor belt and cashier.
Prosecutors called Betsey Walls, the cashier that night, to the stand. She told jurors the handsHeather Ellis shoved the woman in front of her item's back down the conveyor belt and began placing her items on. Walls said Ellis told her she was next but other customers said Ellis cut line.
At one point in the video, you even see Walls skip over Ellis and check-out the person behind her. Walls said she did this because she believed Ellis cut line and was waiting for a manager and security to come to the line.
Wal-Mart Assistant Manager Kay McDaniel took the stand. She told jurors once she got to the aisle, Ellis was yelling and would not quiet down. She asked security to escort Ellis out of the building.
Jurors then heard from Wal-Mart Security guard and at the time a Kennett Police officer, Albert Fisher. Fisher told jurors Ellis was belligerent and out of control. He says when they got outside the store, she threatened to fight him if he arrested her. Feeling threatened, he said he attempted to arrest her but says she fought back. Fisher told jurors Ellis kicked him in his shin and knees.
Surveillance video from outside the store was shown. It showed Ellis being escorted out. She and the officers then go off the screen, when the alleged assault took place, and then come back into the picture. When they come back, you see officers surrounding Ellis and then putting her in a patrol car.
When cross-examined by Defense Attorney, Scott Rosenblum, Fisher admitted the alleged assault was not on tape and that he did not making an effort to ensure all angles of the video was covered. He also said he did not document the injuries he received from the claims of Ellis resisting arrest.
During the cross examination of all the witness called, Rosenblum was able to find gaps in witness testimony. Many witness story's were not consistent with their police deposition. At one point, Wal-Mart manager McDaniel started to cry during her testimony. Many others were visibly rattled by Rosenblum's questioning. Rosenblum also asked every witnesses, with the exception of the officers, about group meetings they had. Witnesses admitted to meet ng as a group on different occassions, even watching the surveillance video with Dunklin County's Prosecuting Attorney.
The prosecution is expected to rest Friday morning. Then the defense will call its witnesses. If convicted, Ellis is facing up to 15 years in prison.
.
The Heather Ellis trial is now in day two. For the first time, jurors and those in the courtroom got to see a glimpse of what happened in aisle 13 of the Kennett, Missouri Wal-Mart in 2007. Surveillance video was admitted into evidence Thursday. It doesn't show any faces but shows video of aisle 13's conveyor belt and cashier.
Prosecutors called Betsey Walls, the cashier that night, to the stand. She told jurors the handsHeather Ellis shoved the woman in front of her item's back down the conveyor belt and began placing her items on. Walls said Ellis told her she was next but other customers said Ellis cut line.
At one point in the video, you even see Walls skip over Ellis and check-out the person behind her. Walls said she did this because she believed Ellis cut line and was waiting for a manager and security to come to the line.
Wal-Mart Assistant Manager Kay McDaniel took the stand. She told jurors once she got to the aisle, Ellis was yelling and would not quiet down. She asked security to escort Ellis out of the building.
Jurors then heard from Wal-Mart Security guard and at the time a Kennett Police officer, Albert Fisher. Fisher told jurors Ellis was belligerent and out of control. He says when they got outside the store, she threatened to fight him if he arrested her. Feeling threatened, he said he attempted to arrest her but says she fought back. Fisher told jurors Ellis kicked him in his shin and knees.
Surveillance video from outside the store was shown. It showed Ellis being escorted out. She and the officers then go off the screen, when the alleged assault took place, and then come back into the picture. When they come back, you see officers surrounding Ellis and then putting her in a patrol car.
When cross-examined by Defense Attorney, Scott Rosenblum, Fisher admitted the alleged assault was not on tape and that he did not making an effort to ensure all angles of the video was covered. He also said he did not document the injuries he received from the claims of Ellis resisting arrest.
During the cross examination of all the witness called, Rosenblum was able to find gaps in witness testimony. Many witness story's were not consistent with their police deposition. At one point, Wal-Mart manager McDaniel started to cry during her testimony. Many others were visibly rattled by Rosenblum's questioning. Rosenblum also asked every witnesses, with the exception of the officers, about group meetings they had. Witnesses admitted to meet ng as a group on different occassions, even watching the surveillance video with Dunklin County's Prosecuting Attorney.
The prosecution is expected to rest Friday morning. Then the defense will call its witnesses. If convicted, Ellis is facing up to 15 years in prison.
.
