Thread by @NicholeManna

Today a jury will decide what #RoyOliver's punishment should be. He was found guilty yesterday of murdering #JordanEdwards. Jurors will hear from people in Oliver's life beginning around 8:30 a.m.

Background:

star-telegram.com/news/local/cri…

Defense to jury: Today you'll hear about the "real" #RoyOliver "The family
man, the father, the husband, the dedicated soldier, the dedicated police officer, the dedicated human being."

First witness is Liz Greer, 19. She grew up in #BalchSprings. Plays soccer at a college in Texas now. She's known #RoyOliver 5-6 yrs. Says he was "active in the community." Her mom was on council, Greer says Oliver would go to city events. He talked to ftbll players at her HS

Greer says Oliver would speak to the different high school sports teams about "respecting everyone around you" and being a leader on and off the field. "Be the best person you can be on and off the field." Says she decided to major in criminal justice because of Roy Oliver.

#RoyOliver's landlord asks for jury to "take mercy" on him.

Prosecutor to her: "Do you think any mercy was shown on (#JordanEdwards) that night?
Landlord: "I wasn't there that night."
"He wasn't shown mercy but you think Roy should?"
Landlord: "Yes."

Landlord called #RoyOliver nice, helpful, protecting

Prosecutor: "Do you feel like #JordanEdwards was protected that night?"
Landlord: "I'm not privy to things that happened that night." eventually adding "I think Roy was doing his job, but it took a tragic, tragic, tragic turn"

Landlord Paula Mullican says #RoyOliver is "not what he's portrayed to be" and asked the jury to show "100 percent leniency."

"He is not a murderer," she said.

He was convicted of murdering #JordanEdwards yesterday.

Prosecutors asking Mullican if a “highly respectable” police officer would pull a gun on 2 people who rear ended him.

“That would depend upon the circumstances at the time” and says a police officer can respond by how they feel is necessary. #RoyOliver

"'I will never be as good as anything as killing people.' Is that a normal statement?" State asks

"You can take that in several different directions. I might say that in certain cases...as a police officer...you never know what those people in those professions face daily."

"(#RoyOliver) did not intentionally murder this young man," she says while holding a picture of #JordanEdwards

"You are aware a jury found him guilty of murdering that young man, right?" state asks.

"Yes."

David Fields, Balch Springs police officer: "I've never seen (#RoyOliver) treat anybody in any other way than I'd want my own family to be treated." says if he did, he'd be the first to say something.

Prosecutor Michael Snipes comparing #RoyOliver to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde -- says he could be both characters. He has also brought up Oliver's time in anger management.

Fields says he's been involved in shootings. Says no ofc wants to go through that. Happens in split second.

Ofc. Raymond Keener says it "might be reasonable" for an ofc to pull out a gun during a traffic accident.

"W/today's threats you just never know what kind of person you'll be confronting at that accident," he says.

#RoyOliver was off-duty when that incident happened.

#RoyOliver's cover photo on fb said "I'll never in my life be as good as anything else as I am in killing people." Keener about it says, "I don't know, it's Facebook. People post a lot of things on there." Says he doesn't take it seriously & ppl are offended by a lot these days

Keener says the shooting was tragic but that #RoyOliver has "manned up and taken his consequences" by coming to court.

"You realized he's required to come here, correct?" Prosecutor George Lewis asks.

"Yes," Kenner says.

"What should happen to an ofc who murders a citizen?"

"If ur referring what happened in this case, I wasn't there...I firmly believe he was trying to protect the other ofc involved...I don't agree w/(the verdict). It's up to (the jury) w/what happens," Keener says. #RoyOliver

For those keeping up with the #RoyOliverTrial -- Law and Crime is still running their live feed: lawandcrime.com/live-trials/li…

#RoyOliver's mom, Linda, is called as a character witness now. Being asked about their background, talking about Oliver's siblings -- 2 half sisters, born in Denver, moved to Arlington, then Fort Worth, which schools he went to.

Linda Oliver says #RoyOliver enjoyed serving his country in the military and she is proud of him -- got emotional while she talked about his time in the Army.

Linda asks the jury to give #RoyOliver the minimum sentence because of his son, who has autism, and his needs.

“He needs his father’s love, his father’s income, his father’s guidance and support.