Prosecution, defense focus on same issue in Perryman trial

Both sides discuss prior police warning during closing arguments

SAN ANTONIO – Whether police announced their arrival during a raid at the home of Adrian Perryman, 52, was the key point of disagreement during closing arguments Tuesday during Perryman's trial on aggravated assault on a peace officer charges.

He is accused of shooting and wounding a member of SAPD's Tactical Response Unit during a raid on Perryman's home in the 1200 block of West Magnolia in the pre-dawn hours of October 26, 2010.

"He said he didn't hear, ‘Police, police - - search warrant,'" Perryman's attorney Tony Jimenez told the jury.

During testimony last week Perryman's girlfriend Rebecca Flores testified that she tossed Perryman a gun when police broke down the door to his home fearing it was a home invasion.

"The door goes down – he shoots," Jimenez argued. "Was it in the direction of police? Did he know they were police?"

Prosecutors reminded the jury of the testimony of several officers last week. Testimony they argued that calls into question Perryman's account of the events that night.

They  testified that they shouted, "Police! Police!" as they came through the door and again once inside the home.

"I find it hard to believe that you would think they would go as far as to risk their lives – have no regard for themselves – by saying they didn't say a thing," prosecutor Steve Spier told the jury.

Pointing to the officers who were in court as spectators listening to closing arguments prosecutor Julie Wright said, "These officers are here with us today because of luck – not because of anything (Perryman) did."

Perryman had testified that he stopped shooting and tossed down his gun when he realized that it was police officers who burst into his home.


About the Author:

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.