Defense Rests After Expert’s Testimony in Inglewood Trial

The defense in the Donovan Jackson police abuse trial rested its case on Monday after calling a use-of-force expert who said former Inglewood Officer Jeremy Morse’s actions in detaining the teenager had been appropriate.

Don S. Cameron, a police trainer from Northern California, said Jackson had planted his feet, a sign that he was conscious, as Morse lifted the youth and carried him toward the trunk of a police car.

Prosecutors accuse Morse of assault under color of authority for throwing the teenager on the trunk and then punching him across the face. A widely seen videotape that caught the action has been played numerous times during the six-day trial, as lawyers presented different interpretations of the confrontation.

Although witnesses called by the prosecution said Jackson appeared to be unconscious and not resisting, defense experts said Jackson was awake and “passively resisting” by going limp while being hoisted by Morse.

Cameron, the third defense expert called, said it appeared that Jackson, after being placed on the car, had dropped his right shoulder and grabbed Morse’s testicles, which would justify the blow to his face.

Under cross-examination, Cameron admitted that Morse, instead of hoisting the youth to the car, could have used other methods that would have caused less injury to Jackson, including rolling him on his side. Jackson, according to an emergency room physician, suffered scrapes and bruises.

At another point during the cross-examination, Cameron seemed to question the credibility of one expert called by the prosecution. Cameron said the expert, Charles Heal, a commander in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, is more of a weapons expert, “a gadget guy,” than a use-of-force trainer.

Heal, along with Los Angeles Police Capt. Greg Meyer, testified that Morse did not have to slam Jackson onto the car to subdue him. But Heal later said that Morse should be facing only disciplinary action, not a felony charge.

Morse’s attorney, John Barnett, rested his case without having Morse take the stand. Barnett said his testimony wasn’t necessary.

“There’s nothing he can add that hasn’t already been said,” Barnett said.

The defense for Morse’s former partner, Bijan Darvish, who is charged with filing a false police report, also rested its case. Closing arguments are scheduled for Wednesday.