Academy Trainer Testifies at Trial of Police Sgt.

By RADHIKA VISWANATHAN & ALAIN GAILLARD

The police academy trainer who had trained the police sergeant charged with the murder of a schizophrenic woman testified Thursday that the defendant had followed protocol allowing officers to fire a weapon at an emotionally disturbed person in self-defense.

 Lt. Robert Tillwitz, squad commander of recruit training, had trained the defendant, Sgt. Hugh Barry, from the summer of 2008 to January 2009. Tillwitz recalled an incident from one of their classes in which Barry was quizzed about how to respond if an emotionally disturbed person threatened his life.

The right answer in the training quiz was to shoot.

 But Tillwitz also emphasized that the officer must first properly evaluate the situation. “Time is critical,” Tillwitz said. “Use time to assess the situation, to get to know the background, to speak to any family members.”

Though the witness was called by the prosecution his testimony appeared to bolster the defense case that the officer was in fear of his life when he pumped two bullets into the victim Deborah Danner, 66, as she clutched a baseball bat in her Bronx bedroom during the confrontation on October 18, 2016.

The prosecution arguses that Barry should have cooled the situation by withdrawing from the confrontation and waiting for a team of police experts trained in defusing violent threats from disturbed persons.

 Barry has been on trial for murder and manslaughter since Jan. 30 in Bronx  Supreme Court. His killing has sparked a controversial debate over police treatment of emotionally disturbed persons.

 The trouble began when officers received calls about an emotionally disturbed person in the midst of a psychotic episode, holding a pair of scissors. Officers first  convinced her to put the scissors down. She then retreated to her bedroom after Barry arrived and picked up a baseball bat, menacing the officer and prompting him to shoot.

 Members of Danner’s family have filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing a violation of civil rights; they believe that all possible precautions were not taken before Barry decided to fire.

 The case has a racial veneer because Barry is white and Danner was both black and mentally ill. As a result, Black Lives Matter activists have been protesting for Barry to be convicted since October 2016. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner James O’Neill have  denounced Barry, saying his actions did not follow police guidelines.