Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Officer Pierson's Partner Testifies in Johnson Trial

Testimony continues in the trial of Thomas Johnson III, the man charged with killing Rochester Police Officer Daryl Pierson. Pierson's partner, Officer Michael DiPaola, is the second to last witness for the prosecution.

DiPaola took the stand in plain clothes, before a packed courtroom. In his testimony, DiPaola described details about an event that so far the jury in this case has only seen through surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and shot spotter audio.

District Attorney Sandra Doorley asked the officer to narrate video taken from the night of September 3, 2015. DiPaola described the shooting differently from the narrative the defense has been building; the officer specifically stated that he did not see Pierson trip or stumble before he heard gunshots. This testimony challenges the idea that Johnson's gun discharged when the two men fell into each other.

DiPaola's testimony was stoic throughout, except for one moment when his voice cracked as he recalled thinking that Officer Pierson was going to survive his injuries.

Testimony continues Tuesday with DiPaola's cross-examination by the defense.

Veronica Volk is a senior editor and producer for WXXI News.