On Thursday, new testimony openly accuses the San Antonio Police Department of covering up key facts in the shooting death of Marquise Jones.
During the civil trial, the Jones’ family lawyer claims that SAPD deliberately withheld evidence suggesting that Jones was unarmed when he was shot by Officer Robert Encina three years ago.
SAPD Chief William McManus testified to defend the department’s handling of the case.
Most of the testimony focused on James Brantley, a key witness who only recently became known in this lawsuit. Brantley testified that Jones was unarmed, but was never interviewed by SAPD on scene the day Jones died despite being mere feet away.
During the testimony Chief McManus, himself, acknowledged that Brantley was not interviewed. Brantley was also asked by an officer on scene to move his car, despite the fact that it was part of the crime scene.
Chief McManus also acknowledged that SAPD’s final report to the district attorney did not mention the six different witness accounts claiming Jones was unarmed. Although, he said that was not a factor in the grand jury decision not to indict the officer who pulled the trigger.
The question of whether Officer Encina used excessive force depends on whether or not Jones had a gun. KENS 5 has previously reported that a gun found on scene was tested two years after the incident and was not a match.
Thursday was the first time in this civil trial that a witness delivered testimony that Jones was armed.
The jury will have to weigh those conflicting accounts.