Officer White takes stand

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - Ottawa Hills police officer Thomas White took the stand in his own defense Thursday during the fourth day of his trial in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Officer White testified to the jury about the May 23, 2009 night on Indian Road in the Village of Ottawa Hills where he and another officer chased and shot at two motorcyclists.

Michael McCloskey was shot and paralyzed from the waist down after the shooting. Officer White testified why he reacted the way he did.

He told a jury he still feels terrible for shooting McCloskey, but he had to react the way he did because that night's chain of events and that traffic stop made him feel his life was in jeopardy.

The village police officer testified that the dash cam video that recorded the chase and shooting does give a good depiction of what happened, but that video shows a view from inside the police cruiser.

When Officer White fired his revolver, he was outside his cruiser on the far left. So what the dash cam captured was not the perspective of Officer White when he fired in McCloskey's direction.

"With his right arm he made a reach, and he made a motion with his arm like he was getting a weapon," Officer White said.

Besides deciding to shoot, there is an argument surrounding the question if Officer White ordered McCloskey to put his hands in the air.

The police officer said he did give the order. It's standard procedure.

The State rebutted with W. Ken Katsaris, a consultant, trainer, and litigation consultant from Tallahassee, Fla. Katsaris claimed he heard the command "get down" rather than "put your hands up" on that dash cam video.

A Columbus police veteran and a former FBI special agent testified Wednesday that the shooting was justified.

Closing arguments in the case will take place Friday morning. The jury could receive the case by noon.

Officer White plead not guilty July 15, 2009, to a felony assault charge stemming from a May 23, 2009, incident on Indian Road near Central Avenue where he and another officer chased and shot at two motorcyclists.

The Ottawa Hills police officer allegedly shot McCloskey in back.

McCloskey was shot in the back and underwent surgery at Toledo Hospital. Family members said he was returning home from work early Saturday morning, May 23, 2009 when he was shot.

The other motorcyclist was charged with OVI, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and fleeing from police.

When both motorcyclists stopped in different spots, investigators said Officer White shot McCloskey. The gunshot left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Officer White faces 11 years in jail if convicted.