Photo: fstop123 / iStock / Getty Images
In the trial of former Uvalde school police officer Adrian Gonzales, a judge instructed jurors on Thursday (January 8) to disregard the testimony of Stephanie Hale, a former teacher at Robb Elementary School. Hale was a key prosecution witness in the case against Gonzales, who faces 29 counts of abandoning or endangering a child related to the tragic shooting at the school on May 24, 2022, which resulted in the deaths of 19 children and two teachers.
The decision to dismiss Hale's testimony came after defense lawyers argued that inconsistencies between her court statements and earlier accounts given to a Texas Ranger during a 2022 legislative investigation could jeopardize Gonzales' right to a fair trial. Hale had testified that she saw the gunman on the south side of the campus, near where Gonzales was stationed, a claim that differed from her previous statements.
The trial, taking place in Corpus Christi due to concerns about seating an impartial jury in Uvalde, began with opening statements that highlighted the contentious nature of the case. Special prosecutor Bill Turner argued that Gonzales, a veteran officer, had a duty to engage the shooter upon arrival at the scene. Defense attorney Nico LaHood countered that Gonzales acted based on the information available to him and should not be held responsible for the massacre.
The trial continues as the community and victims' families await justice. Gonzales and former Uvalde CISD police chief Pete Arredondo are the only officers facing criminal charges related to the shooting, with Arredondo awaiting a separate trial.