LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Officers involved in the October shootout with Emerson Jeffrey took the stand Tuesday as testimony continued in his trial.
Lima police officers who responded to a traffic stop on South St. Johns Avenue on Oct. 31 told jurors the encounter quickly escalated. Attorneys questioned officers and played body camera video in court.
Officers testified that 35-year-old Emerson Jeffrey was sitting in the back seat of the stopped vehicle when Patrolman Bryce Metz ordered him out after noticing what he described as unusual behavior. Officers said Jeffrey then opened fire, striking Metz.
Police returned fire, hitting Jeffrey. Metz testified he suffered three gunshot wounds from two bullets — one passing through his left arm and another lodging in his back, just inches from his spine.
Allen County Prosecutor Destiny Caldwell asked Metz, “Patrolman Metz, is it fair to say that this was extremely painful?”
“To say the least, yes,” Metz said. “For six weeks, I did very intensive physical therapy. I also followed with more weeks of less intensive therapy to regain strength. By the time I had started physical therapy, I only had about 8 to 10 percent strength in this arm compared to this one.”
Metz said the incident also caused psychological trauma.
Jeffrey is charged with four counts of felonious assault and five additional gun-related charges. The trial continues Wednesday morning.
