HATTIESBURG -- The prosecution confronted Ryan Teel with conflicting testimony from a sworn statement today before he rested his case and defense began for his co-defendant.
The issue at hand involved one of Teel's motions to sever his case from co-defendant Rick Gaston in an affidavit unsealed in court during a break from Teel's testimony.
The affidavit was filed before the start of trial for the two former jailers and involved Teel's statements that he had witnessed "countless" incidents of inmate abuse at the jail and incidents involving Gaston, the former captain over booking.
Teel's attorney, Jim Davis, didn't want the document unsealed and told U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. his client hadn't lied yet on the witness stand and he wasn't going to lie in further testimony.
Gaston's lead attorney, John Weber, argued that it wasn't fair to present damaging testimony about Gaston that had not been provided in advance to his attorneys.
The judge ruled the document unsealed and said attorney's could make objections as they considered appropriate.
In response to questions from federal trial attorney John Cotton Richmond, Teel answered cautiously, admitting his unsealed statement said Gaston was aware of inmate abuse and also had used force on inmates.
Teel admitted the incident began when he kicked Williams, as shown on the videotapes played in court. Teel said he kicked because Williams refused to comply with an order to keep his hands on the booking counter. But Teel said the blow didn't land where he intended it to because he has an ankle problem from a prior injury.
Teel described the scenario that followed as this: Once Williams was re-cuffed with hands behind his back, Teel hog-tied him and used two different cans of pepper spray to douse a spit mask, rub it on Williams' face, then put the mask over Williams' head. Teel said he then spewed pepper spray up the mask toward Williams' nose and chin.
Teel said he used the pepper spray because Williams refused to give up one hand to be re-cuffed.
Teel claimed he warned Williams to give up his other hand for the cuffs, saying "I've got 50,000 reasons why you should do it."
Teel said he was referring to the 50,000 volts of electricity the Taser delivers when its prongs or the gun itself makes contact with skin.
Teel said he first used the Taser's air cartridge, which released lines with barb-tipped probes that pierced Williams skin, and then used a "drive stun," which means placing the Taser directly against the skin. Williams' family groaned quietly as Teel matter-of-factly described how he yanked the barb-ended prongs out of Williams' skin.
Teel said he then hog-tied Williams to further gain control of him and carried him to a restraint chair brought out at Teel's order.
Once Williams was seated in the chair, Teel punched him two or three times in the stomach. Teel said he punched in reflex and anger after Williams kicked him three times in the groin.
Richmond asked Teel why he couldn't just step back to avoid Williams' legs and why felt it necessary to use those levels of force against a restrained inmate in violation of jail policies.
Teel said he feared for his life and jail policies have a provision that an officer can take extreme measures in extreme circumstances.
Teel said he was sorry for the family's loss, but maintained he did not feel responsible for Williams' death.
Attorney Michael W. Crosby, representing Williams' estate in a related civil case, said he felt Teel's comments and his statement to Williams' family was not genuine and was more of a legal defense maneuver.
Testimony resumes at 9 a.m. Wednesday with Gaston's defense.
The Sun Herald is in Hattiesburg to cover the trial and provides updates online and in Wednesday's editions.
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