01/25/2026
1st day case update..
1st witness, Brenton Newby-was the Senior Corrections Officer at the time of Cedric’s death and wearing a Sedgwick County Corrections Polo.
Still denies knowing what the Prone position is.
Denies knowing that applying weight to the back could stop breathing but acknowledges that he knew not to use weight.
Newby acknowledges that he’s the one who shackled Cedric but says he was never able to apply handcuffs because Cedric was too combative..but he actually never tried.
After spending several hours, denying that he put any weight on Cedric‘s back, he was proven to be a liar when evidence was permitted via a WPD body camera interview where Newby admitted to using his elbow and forearm on CJ’s shoulder and back to keep him down & says that Buckner did the same.
Still interviewing this witness tomorrow morning.
All of the defendants are in the courtroom.
Day2
Today was the close of Newby's testimony. He demonstrated the hold on his defense lawyer, and was destroyed during redirect. He continues to say that CJ was struggling the entire time, and that he was "afraid for his life".
Questions from the jury we somewhat censored, but a few good ones got through.
"Why wasn't CJ just left in the room once the restraints were removed."
Jiac says it is against policy to leace a juvenile unattended. 🙄
Newby's testimony maintains that CJ struggled till he "fell asleep".
He was cornered when asked about when should and why he didn't cuff CJ. Caught him up in a bit of trouble when he couldn't explain why he didn't ask for assistance.
Stepian also maintained that he was "afraid for his life". The jury again did not seem sympathetic to him. He also said he never noticed CJ having trouble breathing.
He sounded calm but out of breath in the 911 call to WPD to take CJ for care. He sounded panicked in the follow-up call to EMS.
Day 3
Expert witness Dr. Alon(sp) Steinberg is EXTREMELY QUALIFIED. Discussed the principles, methodologies, and the risks of restraint related deaths. Basically prone restraint–related acidosis is primarily metabolic lactic acidosis from strenuous struggle and reduced ventilation and cardiac output. Death is described as prone restraint cardiac arrest due to metabolic acidosis compounded by impaired ventilation and circulation.
Defense was comically inept at cross.
Questions from jury to Stepian were..
Define “Commotion”
Answer: Movement
“What is a proper leg hold?”
Answer: “Ya just hold it.”
“Who applied the ankle shackles?”
Answer: “I don’t know”
Dr. Steinburg, Expert Cardiologist
- Says that the longest prone restraint case he's seen is 18 min so this case is extraordinary in the fact that it was 39 min
Dr debunked the defense theory that "hyperactive delirium" or "excited delirium" was a reason for CJ'S behavior. Apparently the American Medical Association banned that terminology for diagnosis.
How can you be so sure that CJ would have been saved if here was sat up?
Dr Steinburg: because he was alive for at least 35 min
*Both Newby and Stepian were unbothered, without remorse or conscience. Both contimually lied through their testimonies and offended everyone in the room.
*Not one Commissioner has been in the room which really bothers me. They’re unable to see what they’re spending our money to defend, and what these people are saying on the stand .. and they have no defense.
