TEMPLE, Texas — The trial is now underway for the former Temple Police officer who is accused of shooting and killing 28-year-old Michael Dean during a traffic stop in 2019.
Carmen DeCruz reportedly shot Dean in the head while reaching in his vehicle to grab the keys, according to a police affidavit.
ABOUT THE TRIAL
The affidavit states that DeCruz approached Dean's vehicle from the passenger side with a handgun drawn. He then ordered Dean to turn his vehicle off and give him the keys, according to the affidavit.
DeCruz then reached into the vehicle in an attempt to gain control of the keys with his left hand while holding his firearm in his right hand with his finger on the trigger, the affidavit states. When he pulled the keys with his left hand, DeCruz also pulled his right hand back and caused the handgun to fire; Dean was struck in the head with a bullet, the affidavit continues.
DeCruz then pulled Dean from the vehicle and other responding officers administered medical aid until medics arrived, but Dean died on the scene, the affidavit states.
Body cam footage captured the event, but it wasn't released to the public, the affidavit states.
READ MORE: Timeline leading up to the trial
LIVE BLOG
DAY 5: FRIDAY, JAN. 27
Forensic scientists took the stand, offering insight on key evidence including DNA samples from DeCruz's firearm.
DeCruz claimed that he didn't shoot Dean intentionally and that Dean may have grabbed the gun, touching it during the incident. One scientist, however, said Dean's DNA wasn't found on the gun in anyway.
Read Friday's recap: Forensic scientists analyze firearm used in deadly shooting of Michael Dean
DAY 4: THURSDAY, JAN. 26
Witnesses who were either far or near the shooting incident involving Michael Dean and Carmen DeCruz testified in court on day four of the trial, Thursday, Jan. 26.
They included a Temple patrol officer who arrived at the scene, a patrol sergeant for Temple PD, a woman who took video of the incident at a nearby gas station, a man driving behind DeCruz's patrol vehicle and a man who ran to the scene from Tractor Supply.
DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25
DeCruz's body camera footage was revealed for the first time in court.
A Temple Police Department commander over professional standards examined the footage while on the stand. He said the way DeCruz conducted the traffic stop didn't fully meet proper protocol.
According to the police, DeCruz used a "blocking method" during the traffic stop to stop Dean from driving.
A medical examiner also took the stand and said Dean had a blood alcohol level of .2. The legal limit is .08.
Dean also had marijuana in his system, but the medical examiner said it was unclear if he used pot that night.
DAY 2: TUESDAY, JAN. 24
2 p.m. Trial starts
Prosecutors gave an opening statement, but DeCruz's attorney waived the right to an opening statement.
Sixteen Temple PD officers swore in to testify their own recollection of events on Dec. 2, 2019. One family member of Michael Dean also swore in.
An employee with the Bell County 911 center was the first witness on the stand. They played the 911 call.
A detective who was the first to arrive at the scene also took the witness stand.
12:44 p.m. Fourteen people make up the jury, including alternates. They include five women, one Black man, eight white and mixed race men.
They are expected to meet with the judge at 2 p.m. to learn more about the jury process.
DAY 1: MONDAY, JAN. 23
Day one focused on jury selection with the finalization expected Tuesday.