Opening statements began Tuesday in the corruption trials of Detectives Daniel Hersl and Marcus Taylor.
The prosecution wrapped up its opening statements just before noon.
RELATED: Opening statements expected in Gun Trace Task Force corruption trial
Wise said to the jury: “This is not a case about overzealous policing. This is not a case about policing at all. This case is about greed.” @ABC2NEWS
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) January 23, 2018
They spent about 45 minutes opening the case. Prosecutors said they would take the jury inside the Gun Trace Task Force and the Baltimore Police Department. They went on to say they'd show this unit made phony videos, served bogus search warrants and used cash they stole for dinner, drinks, and gambling.
Asst US Atty Wise to jury about the @BaltimorePolice #GTTF : “It was the perfect storm of officers who took advantage to enrich themselves...#GTTF was not a rogue unit, it was made up of men who had already gone rogue.” @ABC2NEWS
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) January 23, 2018
Wise closed his opening by showing the jury Hersl and Taylor’s guns and badges. He said these could be used for good, but also for evil. Next up is opening for Hersl/Taylor defense. @ABC2NEWS Our first witness will be Detective Ward who already pleaded guilty.
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) January 23, 2018
Hersl and Taylor's defense presented their statements after the lunch break.
On the lunch break after defense attys for both Hersl and Taylor finished their opening statements. Both making the argument that while there may be theft...it was not robbery or extortion. Taylor’s atty asking jury to be mindful of incentives behind some witness testimony.
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) January 23, 2018
The first witness for the prosecution was called, Detective Maurice Ward. Ward was one of the original officers indicted in this case but reversed his plea to guilty this past summer.
A break in Ward’s testimony. We’ve learned #GTTF tactics like “Door Pops,” practice of jumping out on crowds 2 see who runs first, “Dope Boy Cars,” pulling over Honda’s and Acura’s w/no cause b/c they were pop w/dealers + “Sneak n Peak,” searching homes before getting a warrant
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) January 23, 2018
Ward indicating #GTTF would use their mission to seize guns to steal drugs and money. They would lie about being federal agents or not say they were police. Sometimes resell drugs...always split cash. #GTTFtrial
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) January 23, 2018
The detectives are accused of robbing and extorting residents, falsifying evidence, and overtime fraud.
Six other former members of the Gun Trace Task Force have pleaded guilty to similar charges, including selling drugs seized by police. Four of them may testify against Hersl and Taylor.
The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.
