Good info at the link. I am only copying a few highlights here.
Yanez trial: Defense rests, closing arguments Monday
By Lou Raguse, KARE | AP | 10:22 PM CDT June 09, 2017ST. PAUL, Minn. - Officer Jeronimo Yanez sobbed as he took jurors back to the day he fatally shot Philando Castile.
This was the first time we've heard from Yanez, since he was charged with manslaughter in the 32-year-old's death last July.
"I was scared to death," he said on the stand. "I thought I was going to die. My family popped into my head. My wife. My baby girl."
Yanez's voice broke several times as he recounted the series of events on that fateful day -- a day he said he felt he had no other choice than to fire his weapon during that traffic stop.
"I was forced to engage Mr. Castile," he said. "I did not want to shoot Mr. Castile. Those were not my intentions."
Yanez told the jury the reasons why he stopped Castile on that July 6 night -- that his description fit that of a robbery suspect, an incident he responded to on July 2. Four days later, during roll call, Yanez said he and his fellow officers were reminded again to be on the lookout for possible suspects in that case, as none had been found.
THURSDAYThe defense team for St. Anthony Police officer Jeronimo Yanez on Thursday began building the case they hope will end with him being acquitted of manslaughter in the shooting death of Philando Castile.
A use-of-force expert testified that Yanez was right to use deadly force. Joseph Dutton testified Thursday for the defense. Dutton is convinced that Yanez saw a gun before he shot Castile during the traffic stop.
Dutton was a police officer for 31 years and now teaches classes on the use of force. He says he reviewed videos and police reports. He says he's convinced by Yanez telling investigators he saw Castile's hand form a C-shaped grip of the sort that would be used to grab a thick gripped pistol.
Dutton said that's the type of detail a person wouldn't make up out of thin air. During cross examination prosecutors said a person could also may a C shape with a hand when releasing a seat belt buckle, but Dutton dismissed that idea.
Dutton also disputed the prosecution expert's opinion that Yanez should've positioned his body slightly behind Castile, aligned with the "B pillar" separating the front and back of the sedan.
As he was leaving the Ramsey County Courthouse, defense attorney Earl Gray said that Dutton's testimony "went splendidly" in the courtroom.
Chief Jon Mangseth testifiesEarlier Thursday morning, Yanez's boss, St. Anthony Police Chief Jon Mangseth, was one of the first witnesses to be called to the stand. Mangseth told the courtroom that Yanez had no disciplinary problems or complaints on his record at the time of the fatal shooting last July, and said he had no reservations about Yanez's abilities as a police officer. The chief followed up by testifying that Yanez was selected for a special department program based on his willingness and ability to speak in public.
More at link:
http://www.kare11.com/news/yanez-trial-week-2/445870511