SAN ANTONIO — SAN ANTONIO – A key witness took the stand today in the trial of three former San Antonio police officers accused in the deadly shooting of Melissa Perez, a 46-year-old mother of four.
Tensions were high as the defense and prosecution questioned officers who responded to the scene more than two years ago.
Officer Jonathan Salinas, the third officer on the scene and not one of the officers facing charges, testified about the events leading up to the shooting. Salinas told the courtroom that Perez struck him, and after multiple attempts to get her out of her home failed, he informed Officers Robert Ramos and Jesus Rojas that the call was over, after getting authorization to write up Perez for a misdemeanor
RELATED | Day 5 of trial for 3 ex-San Antonio Police officers in Melissa Perez fatal shooting
Defense attorney Nico Lahood argued, “Officers have a right to defend themselves just like every citizen does in this county, right?” Officer Rojas agreed, LaHood continued stating, “Officers have a right not to be a victim.” further stating, “It is undoubted that hammer and the manner of it is unfortunately use was a deadly weapon. And if she succeeded in her intent to strike any one of those officers, it could have caused them serious bodily injury or even death.”
Officer Rojas admitted, “Everybody showed some kind of bad tactics.”
RELATED | Trial of former San Antonio officers sees heated debate over warrant necessity
Salinas recounted that after encountering a maintenance worker who reported damages between $2,500 and $5,000, the situation escalated to a felony charge. Salinas received approval from Sgt. Alfred Flores to arrest Perez. Shortly after, Sgt. Flores arrived on the scene with other officers, and moments later, Perez was shot.
Jurors now have many factors to consider, including the split-second decisions that ended Perez’s life. The trial resumes tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.