Kerrick Trial: A Look at Key Testimony in Trial

CHARLOTTE, NC — The state started with emotional testimony from Sara McCartney, who said she thought Jonathan Ferrell was trying to break into her home.

“I was terrified, worried about my child,” said McCartney.

The state showed pictures of the car Ferrell was driving when he crashed into a tree saying he was just trying to get help.  First responders testified to Ferrell being face down, handcuffed in a ditch, and Kerrick sweaty, pale, bleeding from his lip.  

Then, the video everyone waited years to see: the dash cam.   You see Ferrell walking, then run off camera, followed by gunshots.   The state brought in the actual door from McCartney’s house.  They showed the jury Ferrell’s bloody clothes and his shirt rolled in on a mannequin. Then we saw Kerrick’s police interview video where he explained what happened hours earlier.

“He was coming at me, trying to get to my gun,” said Kerrick.

The state’s star witness Captain Mike Capagna took the stand week two, saying Kerrick violated the use of force policy by shooting Ferrell.

“The force of self defense shall be no greater than necessary to fend off the attack,” said Capt. Capagna.

Then the state rested its case.

The defense called up Officer C.T. Thompson, who worked third shift with Officer Kerrick. After an incident in 2012 where both pulled their tasers, Lt. Eric Brady confirmed on the stand that he advised them if they think a suspect is armed, and one officer pulls a taser, the second should back up with lethal force.

Next up, Officer Thornell Little, who fired his taser at Ferrell, backed up Kerrick’s story of self defense.

“He walks towards me, and I hear him say ‘Shoot me’ twice,” said Officer Little.

Then Kerrick himself took the stand, saying he thought he was going to die.  The defense called law enforcement expert Dave Cloutier who contradicted Captain Capagna.

“The fact he discharged his firearm is along policy of training,” said Cloutier.

And lastly, Eve Rossi with the CMPD crime lab, who testified Ferrell’s blood and DNA were all over Kerrick and his weapon.

“DNA I found consistent with blood on the gun was a single person and was consistent with Jonathan Ferrell,” said Rossi.