Mitchell when the attorneys returned to their tables Carter addressed the courtroom detective Martinez please take the stand Martinez was sworn in her professional demeanor a stark contrast to the nervous energy filling. The room detective Carter began please share your findings regarding the Department's handling of digital evidence Martinez outlined the technical details Phillips had discovered explaining how. The selective Corruption of footage had created blind spots and oversight as she spoke Savannah seemed to shrink further into herself realizing she'd been a small piece. In a much larger puzzle and what about officer Mitchell's cases specifically Carter asked we've reviewed all 13 cases previously identified Martinez replied in each instance where footage was corrupted we found civilian recordings. That contradicted the official reports additionally we've discovered 27 more cases with similar patterns during her training period a murmur ran through the courtroom Savannah's head snapped up shock evident on her face.
She hadn't known about many of these cases incidents her training officers had handled while she watched learning their methods your honor Williams stood given. This new evidence the defense moves to add several witnesses to our list individuals from these newly discovered cases granted Carter replied Mr Morton. The City attorney looked uncomfortable your honor the city requests a brief recess to denied Carter cut him off detective Martinez please continue as Martinez detailed. The pattern of missconduct a larger picture emerged it wasn't just about one rookie officer's prejudices it was about a system that had cultivated and protected those prejudices. During the lunch recess Savannah found herself alone in a courthouse bathroom splashing cold water on her face the door opened and she looked up to see Michelle Washington's reflection.
In the mirror for a long moment neither woman spoke then Michelle broke the silence did you know Savannah turned water dripping from her chin know what about the others. The other people whose lives you and your colleagues ruined did you know Savannah's voice was barely a whisper no I mean I knew some things weren't right but I thought. She trailed off realizing how hollow any explanation would sound Michelle's voice was steady but filled with controlled emotion you know what the worst part is every Thursday I look out my office window. At lunchtime every single Thursday and every time I expect to see my brother standing there checking his phone waiting to hear about my day but he's not there and he might never be. There again she turned to leave then paused officer Mitchell whatever happens in that courtroom I hope you remember that moment when you decided my brother didn't deserve to be treated like a human.
Being because we'll never forget it when Court resumed Sergeant Thompson took the stand his testimony laid bare years of ignored warnings and buried complaints it wasn't just. Officer Mitchell he explained the department had an unofficial policy certain officers were protected their body cam footage would conveniently malfunction civilian complaints would get lost. In the system and anyone who raised concerns was quietly pressured to back off and why are you coming forward now Williams asked Thompson's eyes found savanas because sometimes you have to decide what. Kind of cop you want to be one who upholds the law or one who hides behind it as the afternoon wore on more witnesses came forward a parade of civilians shared stories eerily. Similar to Darnell's routine encounters that escalated because of Officer Prejudice reports that misrepresented events complaints that disappeared into the bureaucratic void judge Carter listened to each testimony occasionally glancing.