The vehicle inquiry.
The sheriff's instruction to follow the red Ducati.
The uncertainty surrounding the alleged violation.
And the questions Karen asked before being restrained.
The prosecutor asked whether Trent had personally observed Karen commit a traffic offense.
“No.”
“Did you receive a verified stolen-vehicle report?”
“No.”
“Did the sheriff tell you a specific offense had occurred?”
Trent swallowed.
“No.”
For a moment, the courtroom was silent.
Then the prosecutor asked why he applied the handcuffs.
Trent looked toward Karen.
His eyes filled.
“Because the sheriff ordered me to.”
The prosecutor nodded.
“Did you believe that order was properly supported?”
Trent hesitated.
“Not by what I knew at the time.”
The defense objected to aspects of the questioning, and the judge ruled on the proper scope.
The prosecutor continued.
Trent explained that Kavalik told him afterward to describe the encounter as a stolen-vehicle investigation involving an argumentative rider.
He also acknowledged that he had been afraid of losing his job if he refused.
Then the prosecutor asked whether fear of a supervisor excused making a false report.
Trent shook his head.
“No.”
“Did you submit a false report?”
“No. I sought legal advice and provided a factual statement.”
“Did you participate in the detention?”
“Yes.”
“Do you believe you handled it correctly?”
Trent's voice broke.
“No.”
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he looked toward the jury.
“I should have asked more questions. I should have intervened when the sheriff shoved her. I didn't.”
The courtroom remained quiet.
Kavalik stared toward the table.
He'd spent years teaching his deputies that loyalty was the foundation of a strong department.
Now one of them was telling a jury that loyalty became dangerous when it replaced judgment.
The defense questioned Trent about his disciplinary sanctions and possible motives for cooperating.
He admitted that cooperation could be relevant to how authorities assessed his conduct.
He also acknowledged that his account had developed as additional records became available.
But when asked whether anyone had instructed him to lie about Kavalik, Trent shook his head.
“No.”
Then Haines asked, “Isn't it true that you turned against the sheriff because you were afraid of going to prison yourself?”
Trent paused.
“I was afraid of a lot of things.”
The attorney leaned forward.
“Answer the question.”
Trent looked up.
“I was afraid of losing my job. I was afraid of disappointing my family. And I was afraid of admitting I'd helped detain someone without a proper reason.”