PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The trial for Essa Williams, the man accused of shooting Phoenix Police Officer Tyler Moldovan in 2021, began this week and has been marked by repeated mistrial motions from the defense.
While jurors are hearing evidence about the shooting that nearly killed Moldovan, the defense has repeatedly asked the judge to declare a mistrial, arguing the prosecutor crossed a line in how she portrayed Williams.
Mistrial motions center on opening statement
The motions stem from the prosecution’s opening statement, in which Maricopa County Prosecutor Linda Garcia reenacted what she said Williams told Moldovan just before opening fire.
“‘What are ya’ll going to do? Ya’ll going to lock me up?’ That’s what the defendant said before pulling his gun and unloading 15 rounds at Officer Moldovan,” Garcia said…