Use Of Force Expert Says Justine Ruszczyk Damond 'Did Nothing Wrong'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The prosecution continues its case in the trial of Mohamed Noor, the former Minneapolis Police Officer charged with murder and manslaughter in the death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond.
On Wednesday morning, the prosecution called the Crystal Police Department use of force expert, Lieutenant Derrick Hacker, to the stand.
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Hacker testified that being spooked or startled is not the same as "fearing death or great bodily harm." He said he also believes that Noor's use of deadly force was "excessive and objectively unreasonable."
Hacker told the jury the shooting could have been avoided if Noor and his partner, Matthew Harrity, had made contact with Ruszczyk Damond after her second call to 911 when she requested an estimated time of arrival for officers. Hacker testified that Justine "did nothing wrong."
Hacker told the jury that during his more than 600 hours of investigating the shooting he believes the call Justine made to 911 was not one where a reasonable officer would not have perceived a threat.
Hacker also said Noor and Harrity could have challenged the silhouetted figure that night by verbally interacting.
Defense attorney Peter Wold aggressively cross-examined Hacker, attacking his credibility. Wold said Hacker's training did not involve an officer's interaction with a partner.
He also questioned Hacker's work in the field as a patrol officer. Wold says Hacker never been in a situation where he had to use deadly force except for when he shot and killed a dog. He also pointed out this was Hacker's first time testifying in front of a jury.