Nathan Woodyard, an officer facing trial in the death of Elijah McClain, took the stand Wednesday to defend himself.
Woodyard is charged with reckless manslaughter and was one of five people – three officers and two paramedics – indicted in McClain's death.
When the opportunity presented itself, he told the jury he made the decision to use the carotid hold on McClain, which briefly rendered him unconscious. He was handcuffed after that, because Woodyard said, at the time, he believed McClain had just tried to grab an officer's gun. "What did you do in response to that?" asked Downing."Because he said he was having trouble breathing.
Under cross-examination there were many things Woodyard said he wished he could have done differently - starting with his first interaction with McClain. "We had been on scene for what seemed like an eternity. I had already asked for medical once or twice," said Sgt. Dale Leonard."I'm practically begging dispatch where the heck is fire at? I’m obviously concerned.”
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