O'FALLON, Mo. — Officer Blake Snyder's death moved so many us, including the photographer asked to document his funeral. Most of Danielle Sinnokrak's clients are brides and families, but two years ago, St. Louis County police gave her one of her toughest assignments yet. "You go and you think, I have to document this perfectly, flawlessly, so that the family can look back on that day and all the beauty that did come from it,” she said. They wanted her to photograph Officer Snyder's funeral. “It was so emotional, it was so powerful,” she said. She was the only photographer allowed to get close to the pallbearers carrying Officer Snyder's casket, and she was part of the procession. "They were there from all over the country,” she said. "It was just crazy to see the outpouring of love and support from people that didn't even know him." Danielle did know Officer Snyder. Her husband's a police officer, too. "It was very hard, you put yourself in those shoes and you think that could have been my husband,” she said. "I want to give you one last kiss before you walk out the door, and I want to give you one last hug before you walk out the door because it could happen to any of us." She said that's what she read on the faces of Snyder's fellow officers as dispatch called for him one last time.<doc-sep>ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) – Day two of the trial for the man accused of murdering St. Louis County Officer Blake Snyder began with a crime scene detective taking the stand. During the Tuesday morning testimony, the first to take the stand was the detective who took photographs of Trenton Forster’s car and of the fallen officer during his autopsy. During the testimony, the detective talked about finding a box of ammunition in the glove box of the suspect’s car, a magazine for a 9mm semi-automatic by itself between the console and front driver’s side seat, and a spent shell casing in the back seat on the floor. The detective also showed the .22 rifle that was found in Forster’s trunk, along with pictures of the shattered driver’s side window and bullet holes in Forster’s car. Suspect in Ofc. Snyder's death was high all the time, suicidal, prosecutors claim Opening statements took place Monday morning in the trial of a man accused of murdering an on-duty St. Louis County officer in 2016. The second person called to testify was the medical examiner who did the autopsy on Officer Snyder. During the testimony, photos were shown of Officer Snyder’s body when it first arrived, when he still had on a hospital gown and a breathing tube. Then, x-rays were shown of Officer Snyder’s jaw, which was broken from the gunshot. According to officials, Officer Snyder was shot once and the bullet broke his jaw and severed a carotid artery. Photos were also shown in court of the carotid artery and the hole that was in it. The bullet was reportedly taken out of Officer Snyder’s left upper back. While the autopsy photos were shown, News 4’s Russell Kinsaul said some in the courtroom tucked their heads down, while others glanced and then quickly looked away. Officer Snyder’s widow, Elizabeth, had her brother’s arm around her and her body was shaking, according to Kinsaul, who was in the courtroom during the testimony. During the second half of the morning, testimony began with a firearms expert from the St. Louis County Crime Lab. The expert concluded that the bullet found in Officer Snyder's back matched the 9mm weapon Forster used. In addition, he said, two shell casings were recovered that matched Forster's weapon. The expert then testified that it's believed when Forster fired a second round, his gun jammed. The gun was then unable to fire anymore. When the expert was cross examined by the defense, the point was made that someone may shoot with a "limp-wristed shooting," essentially raising doubt about where the shell casing would have landed. The issue was then raised that it is unknown when the shell casings were fired based on where they were found. The expert also spoke about how guns work and the components of the cartridge. A DNA expert later testified that Forster's DNA was found in several places on the gun, including the handle and trigger and said reddish stains were found on Forster's car and shirt, presumably blood that contained the DNA of Officer Snyder. Prosecutors say Forster was obsessed with getting guns and ammo days before the shooting. Two days before Forster killed Snyder, a Walmart clerk says he came into buy ammo. The clerk says Forster looked suspicious and did not want to sell him the ammo but a manager told him to sell him the ammo anyway. A forensics technician who examined Forster's cell phone said there were photos of him with guns and a message threatening violence. During the period of a little more than month, there were 130 online searches about guns and several text messages claiming after Forster got one that he would kill everybody. Defense attorney Stephen Reynolds cross-examined the technician to show Forster was in a dark place mentally. In one text, Forster told someone that he was "dying inside."<doc-sep>Deliberations began around noon on Friday CLAYTON, Mo. – On the day of closing arguments of the trial for the man accused of killing a St. Louis County police officer, nearly 100 police officers lined the hallway to show support for Blake Snyder’s family. Prosecution is seeking a first-degree murder conviction while the defense is arguing for a lesser charge. As of 12:10 p.m., the Jury began deliberations. They'll decide if Trenton Forster spends the rest of his life in prison. A few hours into deliberations the jury asked the judge two questions... 'What is the exact definition of the term “cool reflection? '” and they asked to see a specific exhibit from the trial. Closing words of each side “Please deliberate carefully this is a murder in the second-degree case,” Defense said. ”Do this for the officer who’s last words were - hey bud,” Prosecution said. 10 a.m. update: Forster has chosen not to testify, judge is talking with Forster and attorneys working out details. Blake's widow, Elizabeth shared this on her Facebook Thursday night: 'I want to shout a big THANK YOU to everyone who has shown their support for our family this week. It has been tremendously difficult and a bit traumatic- but every minute is worth it for Blake. He deserves it! To all my officer friends- tomorrow (9am) begins with closing arguments and finally a jury deliberation and verdict. Although the actual courtroom will be full, there will be an overflow area (different than what the rest of the week has been) in the “jury selection” room that holds 250 people where the final day will be streamed on a live feed. Come and fill that room! And you may wear your uniforms. Again, thank you to everyone who has sent messages, cards, food, and other sweet things! My family and I are forever grateful❤️ *Edit* The trial is not being live streamed to the public. Just inside the courthouse in the designated room.' DAY 4 In its fourth day – one of the jurors dropped out and was replaced. Trenton Forster’s grandmother and aunt took the stand Thursday morning. Both revealed Forster had anger problems even as a young child. Forster’s aunt said Trenton and his dad were “abnormally close, almost obsessive.” His grandma said he [Trenton] kept thinking someone was after him. Prosecution: “You’ve placed a lot of blame on Bill [Forster’s dad] here today, is that fair to say?” prosecution asked. “Yes,” Forster’s aunt said. “Did Bill pull the trigger and murder officer Snyder?” Prosecution asked. “No,” replied Forster’s aunt. 5 On Your Side's Brandon Merano was in the courtroom and said there were gasps of 'wow' as Forster's aunt left the stand. The defense called Forster’s brother to the stand. He testified Trenton had anger problems when he was younger that were “more than a normal tantrum.” The brother said Trenton would sleep in his closet growing up and that it was a “pretty permanent thing for quite some time.” Forster’s brother has been previously arrested on a felony drug possession charge. The prosecution asked Forster’s brother if he would describe Trenton as manipulative and he replied, “yep.” He was also asked if Trenton was given opportunities to get help and he said, “yep.” A paramedic testified in court that in the ambulance Forster told her if he would have known he [Blake Snyder] was a cop he wouldn’t have shot him. Forster's mom and dad took the witness stand Thursday afternoon. 5 On Your Side’s Brandon Merano said there was an explosive exchange that happened as soon as the prosecution started their cross-examination with the dad. Forster's dad said he saw Trenton the day before the shooting occurred at 2 p.m. and he called the police to let them know Trenton was “incoherent” and said he was worried he was a danger to himself and others. After reviewing the call log the prosecution said Forster's father didn't say any of those things and the prosecuting attorney said: "We wouldn't be here if you said he was suicidal, drunk or had a weapon." DAY 3 The day St. Louis County police officer Blake Snyder was shot he was most likely just trying to help the teen on the other end of that gun. That's how Trenton Forster's lawyer sees it and he even admitted his client pulled the trigger. But he's trying to convince a jury not to send Forster to prison for the rest of his life. The fight in the downtown Clayton courtroom is when Forster shot Snyder whether it was first-degree murder or second-degree murder—premeditated or not. Depending on how the jury sees it, Forster could spend the rest of his life in prison or go free before he's 50. His attorney wants the jury to consider his mental health. In the days leading up to the murder, a forensic psychologist for the defense team said Forster was "off the charts" manic and not thinking rationally. Psychologist Patricia Zapf was hired by Forster’s defense team to evaluate his mental health. Diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, Zapf said Forster was paranoid, angry and obsessed with buying a gun—and unable to consider the consequences of his actions. Prosecutors said he was planning. In addition to trying several times to buy a gun, they point to social media posts, phone calls and text messages where Forster said he wanted to kill, writing "f--- the police"..."I want to take them out," they said in court. Zapf, the psychologist for the defense team, said these were the rantings of a teenager who couldn't think clearly, which was complicated by his history of getting high and drunk since he was around 12 years old. Based on interviews with Forster and some of his family members, Zapf also testified to what she called a "chaotic" home life where his mother would “scrub him raw” when he ate meat because she thought it was dirty. His father was addicted to opioids. Thursday, Forster’s defense team is expected to call members of his family to the stand when the trial continues. DAY 2<doc-sep>CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — A man on trial for the fatal shooting of a St. Louis County police officer had talked on social media and in text messages about wanting to die in a “suicide by cop” encounter and told the fallen officer’s partner to shoot him, prosecutors said Monday in opening statements. Prosecutors are seeking a first-degree murder conviction, which would send Trenton Forster, 20, to prison for life without parole. They decided not to seek the death penalty for the October 2016 killing of Officer Blake Snyder. Public defender Stephen Reynolds conceded, meanwhile, that Forster killed Snyder but argued that Forster did not deliberate first, as prosecutors say. “You’re going to find Trenton Forster guilty of murder, but I’m asking you not to find him guilty of murder in the first degree,” Reynolds said, suggesting second-degree murder as the appropriate charge. That would allow for a life sentence, calculated in Missouri at 30 years, with the possibility of parole. Snyder, 33, of Edwardsville, was killed while responding to a disturbance call in the Green Park area. Police said Forster had a relationship with a girl who lived in a home on the block, and that Forster had been beating on the door. When Snyder approached Forster, who by then was in a car parked outside the home, Forster opened fire on Snyder, police said. Snyder left behind a wife and 2-year-old son. Assistant prosecutor Alan Key said that in the week before the shooting, Forster tried multiple times to buy firearms and ammunition at gun stores and pawn shops, but was turned away several times because he appeared to be high. Eventually, someone he smoked marijuana with put him in touch with a private seller, who sold him a pistol and a rifle. A few days later he bought 50 rounds of ammunition at Walmart, Key said. Snyder approached Forster’s car, saying, “Hey bud, let me see your hands,” Key told the jury. Officer John Becker then saw Snyder fall and unloaded his gun at Forster, hitting him five times. Key told jurors that Forster said to Becker, “Shoot me, I have a gun,” though Forster’s pistol had jammed. The trial is expected to run through at least Friday.<doc-sep>
'This sends a message to our community and to anyone who thinks they can take the life of a police officer that you can not and justice will be served.' CLAYTON, Mo. — The high-profile trial of a man accused of killing St. Louis County police officer Blake Snyder is expected to begin Monday. Trenton Forster is charged with first-degree murder in the 2016 death of officer Snyder. Prosecutors are expected to call hundreds of potential witnesses to the stand. Most of them are police officers, but the list also includes family members of the suspect, eyewitnesses and gun sellers. "I hope and pray that we never have to do this again," Katie Zaitz-Fink said. "I want justice for Blake." Just a few years ago, Zaitz-Fink heard about the tragic shooting of officer Blake Snyder in St. Louis County. While she had no connection to Snyder, her heart broke for his wife and young child. "It just broke my heart to think that his little boy would never have the opportunity to play ball with his dad," she said. Zaitz-Fink said Snyder's death personally impacted her so much she felt moved to help raise money for his family amidst the tragedy. "I just feel like if there's anything that they need we need to do it," she said. It's why she's looking forward to the murder case against Trenton Forster, who police say took the officer's life back in 2016. "This young man didn't have to die. It was a foolish act from a coward," Zaitz-Fink told 5 On Your Side. Starting Monday, local lawyer John Lynch says he expects the prosecution to come after Forster hard in the trial, but he also expects the defense to fight back. "They're going to hit on any eyewitnesses before the incident and his behavior before the incident if there's any evidence in that regard," Lynch said. He also believes that people all over the metro will be paying close attention. "I think anytime in St. Louis we have a police officer that's shot and killed I think it's big for the community," he added. While Zaitz-Fink told 5 On Your Side she will follow the trial, she's ultimately hoping Blake Snyder's family will get some closure. "This sends a message to our community and to anyone who thinks they can take the life of a police officer that you can not and justice will be served," she said.