REENACTMENT OF THE SHOOTING

The police and their attorneys participated in three reenactments of Michael Bell’s shooting. The first reenactment, conducted shortly after giving their initial statements, was consistent with their initial version of events, that Michael was shot in the left side of his head and Officer Gonzales was standing in front of the vehicle.

The second reenactment, conducted after forensic evidence proved Michael was shot in the right side of his head, contorted Michael’s body in a way that attempted to show Officer Gonzales could have been standing in the front of the vehicle and still shoot Michael in the right side of his head. The second reenactment contradicts Officer Gonzales’ statement, the first reenactment, his own sworn testimony, and his formal responses to discovery questions, as well as the forensic evidence.

Because the second reenactment could not account for the location of the shell casing, the police conducted a third reenactment. This time, the reenactment contradicted Officer Gonzales initial statement, his sworn testimony, his formal responses to discovery questions, and the second reenactment.

The police contention that Michael was shot in the right side of the head by Officer Gonzales from the front of the vehicle, with Michael bent forward over the hood while held in a bear hug, as Officer Gonzales angled his gun towards the windshield of the car, is contradicted by the physical evidence.

The second reenactment was conducted three times, but videotaped only once, and is provided here:

Because the second reenactment could not account for the location of the shell casing, the police conducted a third reenactment. This time, the reenactment contradicted Officer Gonzales initial statement, his sworn testimony, his formal responses to discovery questions, and the second reenactment.