There is no movement toward the console." Marcus advanced the footage frame by frame. "What we do see is Mr. Washington holding his license and registration. Hands visible at all times." "My perspective from the driver's side was different."
"Your body camera should have captured that perspective. But strangely, yours malfunctioned that evening." Derek's jaw tightened. "Equipment failures happen." "They seem to happen to you with remarkable frequency during incidents that result in complaints."
Marcus introduced another exhibit. "Five malfunctions in 3 years, all during arrests involving excessive force allegations." "Objection!" The defense attorney called. "Counsel is testifying."
"I'm referencing evidence already admitted, Your Honor." Marcus countered. "Overruled." "The witness will answer." Derek's voice hardened.
"Correlation isn't causation, counselor." "Indeed." Marcus replied. "Let's discuss causation, then. You stated Mr. Washington was combative.
Yet the footage shows him repeatedly saying, "I'm not resisting." While you struck him. What specifically did you interpret as combative behavior? Body language, tone, things cameras don't capture, things no one else witnessed? Marcus pressed.
Officer Tanaka testified he observed no resistance. Tanaka was at the passenger side. His view was obstructed. Marcus approached closer. Officer Simmons, during the arrest you were recorded saying, and I quote, "You people always resist."
What did you mean by you people? A muscle twitched in Derek's cheek. I meant suspects who "Isn't it true?" Marcus interrupted. "That you've used this exact phrase during other arrests, specifically with black suspects?"
I don't recall specific phrases used during high-stress situations. Marcus presented another document. "This is a transcript from your body camera during an arrest last year. You used identical language with another black motorist who filed a complaint." Derek's knuckles whitened against the witness stand.
"Those situations were similar. The resistance was similar. The only similarity was the race of the individuals involved." Marcus countered, his voice level but relentless. "In fact, your record shows a disturbing pattern.
While 22% of traffic stops in your district involve black drivers, they account for 78% of your use-of-force incidents." "Objection!" The defense attorney shouted. "These statistics lack context." "Your honor," Marcus replied, "these are the department's own statistics submitted during discovery."
"Overruled." Derek's breathing quickened visibly. Marcus noted the warning sign, but pressed forward. Officer Simmons, Captain Reeves testified that she recommended you for additional training in de-escalation techniques. Why wasn't that training completed?
You'd have to ask administration about budget priorities, Derek replied tightly. I'm asking you. Did you ever express reluctance about taking this training? I didn't see it as necessary. Because you don't believe you have an issue with excessive force?
I don't. Marcus introduced another exhibit. This is your performance review from two years ago. Captain Reeves noted, "Officer Simmons demonstrates concerning ideological rigidity and resistance to community-oriented policing initiatives." Derek's face flushed.
Captain Reeves was under political pressure to appear progressive. So, your direct supervisor was lying in an official document? She was exaggerating to please her superiors. Marcus changed direction suddenly. You were previously assigned to the Central Tactical Task Force, correct?
Yes. A unit that was disbanded following a Justice Department investigation? For political reasons, Derek snapped, his composure fracturing. The report cited systematic civil rights violations and excessive force against minority communities. Were those political reasons?
Derek leaned forward. You have no idea what it takes to police those neighborhoods. You sit in your office while we're out there dealing with what, Officer Simmons? Marcus interrupted. With those people?
The courtroom fell silent as Derek's face contorted with barely contained rage. Judge Montgomery interjected, "The witness will confine his answers to the questions asked. Marcus pushed further. Officer Simmons, did you target Jamal Washington because of his race? No. Did you use excessive force because you believed, as your pattern demonstrates, that black suspects automatically require physical subjugation?
That's ridiculous. Derek's voice rose. Is it ridiculous to suggest that your actions that night were not those of a professional police officer, but those of someone acting on deeply held racial prejudice? Derek half rose from his seat. You're twisting everything.
I'm presenting facts, officer. Facts documented in your own record. You people want to handcuff us, then complain when neighborhoods go to hell, Derek shouted. You have no idea what we face every day. The animals we have to The word hung in the air.
Marcus simply stared at Derek, allowing the implication to resonate through the stunned courtroom. Animals? Marcus repeated quietly. Is that how you view the citizens you're sworn to protect? Derek's eyes darted wildly, panic replacing anger as he realized his mistake.
Before anyone could react, his hand moved to his ankle, pulling a small pistol from a concealed holster. Enough! He shouted, aiming the weapon directly at Jamal. I'm not going to sit here and be crucified. Chaos erupted.
People screamed, diving under benches. Security officers drew their weapons, but Derek had already moved from the witness stand, backing toward the nearest exit while keeping the gun trained on Jamal. Stay back! Derek yelled. Everyone stay back!
Marcus stood frozen, positioned between Derek and Jamal, unwilling to move aside. "This is what happens," Derek snarled, sweat beating on his forehead. "This is what happens when you push good cops too far. When you side with criminals instead of the people keeping you safe." A bailiff moved toward Derek, who swung the gun in his direction.
"Back off. I'll shoot." In one fluid motion, Derek grabbed the bailiff, positioning him as a human shield. "Everyone stay where you are. I'm walking out of here and no one's going to stop me."
Derek fired a shot toward the ceiling, triggering more screams and sending plaster raining down. In the confusion, he backed through a side door leading to the secured hallway, dragging the struggling bailiff with him. Marcus rushed to Jamal, pulling him behind the heavy wooden table as additional shots echoed from the hallway. Court officers converged on the door Derek had used, while others evacuated the gallery. Outside, sirens wailed as the courthouse went into lockdown.
Inside, Marcus held a shaking Jamal, whose only words came as a whispered question. Did he miss on purpose, or was he just a bad shot? Within minutes, the news spread across the city. Officer Derek Simmons, on trial for assault, had escaped custody, armed and dangerous. The manhunt had begun.