Mistrial declared in former Austin police officer’s trial after attorney collapses in apparent medical emergency

AUSTIN, Texas — Lawyer Brad Heilman was outlining his protection of former Austin police officer Nathaniel Stallings earlier than all of a sudden collapsing in what officers known as an undisclosed “medical emergency” on Tuesday.

Heilman was hospitalized however is reportedly in “good spirits.” As a result of it was unclear how lengthy his hospitalization can be, Choose Brad Urrutia referred to as a mistrial and referred to as for a brand new trial to be rescheduled for August.

Based on KVUE’s media companions on the Austin-American Statesman, Urrutia spoke on to jurors concerning the unfolding scenario.

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“He sounded properly, he sounded in good spirits and was clearly involved about once we can get again to trial,” he instructed jurors, referring to a telephone name he had with Heilman a day after his collapse.

Heilman was representing Stallings in a use-of-force case for which he was indicted 4 years in the past. Stallings faces a number of misdemeanor expenses after being accused of forcefully arresting a lady in 2017. His trial was set to start Tuesday.

Based on the Statesman, Stallings reportedly slammed the lady’s head into his automobile a number of occasions throughout her arrest. Then-Police Chief Brian Manley issued a memo through which he mentioned the quantity of drive used was pointless. Reviews recommend the lady was a intercourse employee, and the person soliciting her was let go with out a warning, a call which Manley additionally criticized.

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Stallings faces one depend of abuse of official capability and three counts of official oppression. Every cost is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by as much as one yr in jail and a most high-quality of $4,000. 

Stallings resigned from the division in 2018 after his indictment. This may’ve been the primary time a former officer confronted a use-of-force trial beneath DA José Garza.

Heilman is a former officer himself and was acquitted on an official oppression cost in 2006. Particulars of his medical episode haven’t been disclosed.

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