Eleanor was not done. I'd like to call my first witness, Mr. Daniel Reeves, second chair instructor at Apex Combat Academy. Daniel Reeves walked to the stand. 36 years old, sandy hair.
He had been Tucker's quiet number two for four years. He had also been keeping notes. Mr. Reeves, how many times in the past 3 weeks did you hear Mr. Brennan use the phrase too weak for combat in reference to my client?
Seven times. And how would you characterize his behavior toward Miss Williams? Daniel took a long breath. It was harassment. It was racial.
It was repeated. And every single one of us in the gym was afraid to say anything because Tucker controlled the schedule. He looked at Tucker. I'm done being afraid. The motif broke under oath.
Eleanor called her second witness. The gay-haired man in row 7 stood up. My name is Gunnery Sergeant Martin Hail, United States Marine Corps, retired. I served 28 years. From 2014 to 2018, I served as senior cadre instructor at the Marine Raider Combative Selection Course at Camp Lune.
He paused. Whitney Williams was my colleague. She trained the instructors who trained the Raiders. She held the highest combative certification any Marine can hold, MCMAP Black Belt, sixth degree. She is without exaggeration one of the three most lethal hand-to-h hand fighters I have ever stood next to in uniform.
A reporter in the back stood up. Another one followed. On April 14th, 2019 in Helman Province, Whitney's convoy hit a buried IED. The lead Humvey was on fire. Two Marines were dead.
Three more were trapped inside. Whitney sustained a partial vocal cord laceration from shrapnel and secondderee burns on her right forearm. With her own body on fire, she pulled all three Marines out of the burning vehicle. Two of them are alive today. One of them is sitting in row four of this courtroom.
A man in row four, early 30s, prosthetic right leg, raised his hand. The gunnery sergeant continued. Whitney was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart by direct recommendation from her battalion commander. The citation is a matter of public record. I have a certified copy here.
He handed the document to the baiff. The baleiff handed it to Judge Hall. Judge Hall read it aloud for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at extraordinary risk to her own life. Staff Sergeant Whitney L. Williams, United States Marine Corps.
The courtroom did not make a sound. Tucker Brennan was crying. Garrett was looking at his shoes. Hayden had not lifted his head in 4 minutes. Eleanor turned to Whitney.