Trial resumes for NYPD sergeant accused of killing Bronx woman
Feb 02, 2018, 4:44pm EST
Updated on:Feb 02, 2018, 4:44pm EST
Friday marked the third day of testimony for the prosecution in the trial of the NYPD sergeant accused in the fatal shooting of an emotionally disturbed Bronx woman.
MORE: Trial set for NYPD sergeant accused of killing Bronx woman
According to an indictment, Sgt. Hugh Barry fatally shot 66-year-old Deborah Danner, a woman known in the neighborhood as having schizophrenia, inside her bedroom on Oct. 18, 2016, after she allegedly swung a baseball bat at him.
Friday's proceedings included the testimony of an FDNY EMT who responded to the scene at 630 Puglsey Ave. that day.
The EMT told the prosecution that his partner was able to calm down Danner to the point where she put down a pair of scissors she was holding.
He went on to tell the court that Sgt. Barry along with another officer later arrived. He says several officers then went into the bedroom to bring Danner out and ultimately restrain her. Moments later he said he heard an officer yell, "Bat," and "Put it down."
The EMT testified that he heard two gunshots in the bedroom followed by three more.
Prosecutors assert that when Barry pulled the trigger, he did not follow NYPD training in dealing with an emotionally disturbed individual.
Barry is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. Barry's lawyer, however, maintains that he was protecting himself from Danner, an out-of-control, paranoid schizophrenic who was wielding a bat.
Meanwhile, fellow officers and union officials continue to show support for Sgt. Barry, while advocates for Deborah Danner say they are seeking justice on her behalf and her grieving family.
The trial is expected to last for at least another week.