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The trial of Adrian Gonzales, a former Uvalde school police officer, encountered significant challenges after defense attorneys accused prosecutors of withholding crucial information. Gonzales is facing 29 counts of child endangerment for his actions during the Robb Elementary School shooting on May 24, 2022, which resulted in the deaths of 19 children and two teachers. The trial, taking place in Corpus Christi, Texas, was disrupted on Tuesday (January 5) after a key witness, former teacher Stephanie Hale, changed her account of the events during her testimony.
Hale testified that she saw the shooter, Salvador Ramos, near the south side of the school, where Gonzales was located. This testimony differed from her previous statements to a Texas Ranger during the 2022 investigation. Defense attorneys argued that this change was not disclosed during pretrial preparations, potentially violating legal obligations under the Michael Morton Act, which requires prosecutors to share witness statements with the defense.
Judge Sid Harle excused the jury and scheduled a special hearing for Wednesday to address the issue. The defense has suggested that the situation could lead to a mistrial, as the undisclosed information impacts their trial preparation. Prosecutors acknowledged that Hale mentioned seeing the shooter in pretrial interviews, but claimed they were unaware of the change in her testimony.
The trial is the second time in U.S. history that a law enforcement officer has been criminally charged for their response to a mass shooting. Gonzales, who has pleaded not guilty, is accused of failing to confront the shooter despite being one of the first officers on the scene. The case has drawn attention to the broader law enforcement response, which involved nearly 400 officers and a 77-minute delay in confronting the gunman.
The outcome of the special hearing on Wednesday will determine the next steps in the trial. The defense has not yet decided whether to request a mistrial, but the possibility remains on the table. Families of the victims have expressed frustration with the delay, seeking justice for their loved ones.