Vassey testifies as trial for teen’s death nears end
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A former Southport police officer took the stand in his own defense as his trial nears an end.
Bryon Vassey is charged with the January 2014 death of Keith Vidal, 18, in Boiling Spring Lakes. Vassey is accused of shooting the teen as Vassey, a Brunswick County Sheriff’s deputy and a Boiling Spring Lakes police officer responded to a call at the schizophrenic teen’s home. Vassey says he shot Vidal because he was threatening the other officers with a screwdriver.
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Vassey said started off his testimony by telling the courtroom his wife, mom, dad, daughter and friends were all sitting in court watching. Vassey said he became a police officer, because as a little boy he was really taken back by police officers. He said they really impressed him with how they served the citizens.
Vassey said he understands the decision making process for an officer to use force. The defense displayed that process. It said:
- Have a reasonable belief that a deadly force is imminent against himself or a third person.
- Believe that it is reasonably necessary to defend himself or the third person.
Vassey said he also understands the 21-foot principle.
Vassey said after working for the Sunset Beach Police Department he left law enforcement for a little while. In order for him to go back, he had to get recertified. Vassey told the court his wife had to work two jobs, so he could get through training again.
Vassey started at the Southport Police Department in 2004. In 2014, he was a detective sergeant. Vassey said at the time, he was the only investigator for the department.
Vassey said he was taking blood pressure medicine at the time, sleeping medication and he had oral surgery around the time and was prescribed hydrocodone. Vassey said he does not remember if he took hydrocodone the day of the incident, because it was prescribed as needed. Vassey said officers are required to tell their supervisor about any medication they are taking. He said he did that.
Vassey said he was on duty January 5, 2014, but he was requested to work patrol to replace an officer who had Marine Reserve duty. He said he chose to wear his detective attire, which is a dress suit. He said he had his handcuffs and firearm on him.
Vassey said dispatch called him around noon about an officer requesting assistance to Boiling Spring Lakes. Vassey said he did not know there was a mental subject involved. Vassey said he communicated with the BSL officer immediately over the radio.
The officer said he was standing by waiting on Vassey to get there. He said the subject had a screwdriver and there was a confrontation in the hallway. Vassey said in his mind it was important for him to get there as quickly and safely as possible. He said it was a critical situation.
Vassey said he was extremely concerned and he said he was scared for the officer. He said he felt like he could not get there fast enough. When he arrived, Vassey said he saw an ambulance at the scene. EMS personnel was outside of the home.
Vassey said he did not use the radio when we arrived, because he says he did not want to clog the traffic. He said he had EMS check him in. Vassey said every second is critical in this kind of situation. He said that is why he did not wait for the radio traffic to clear.
Vassey said one of the EMS persons said hey to him. Two EMS personnel testified earlier in the trial that Vassey replied saying, “It’s time to kick a** and take names.” Vassey said he does not remember saying that, but it is possible he said that. He said he did not have time to carry on a conversation.
As he walked into the house, Vassey said both officers were standing in the hallway entrance. Vassey said he could not see what they were looking at. Vassey said he automatically knew they were in a dangerous situation.
Vassey said officer Thomas and the deputy were practically shoulder to shoulder at the threshold of the hallway. Vassey said he walked over to the officers. He said once he located Vidal, he gently tapped officer Thomas on his taser case. He said the situation was dangerous.
Vassey said he looked down the hall and assessed the situation. He said he was concerned for all officers’ safety.
Vassey said he told officer Thomas,”Here’s what we need to do. We need to order him to drop the weapon or he will be tased.”
Vassey said Vidal darted to the bathroom. He said Vidal went out of his view. Then, he said Vidal charged the officers.
He said it was shocking how fast it happened. He said it is a hard feeling to describe. Then, he said he heard a loud popping of a taser. Vassey said while Vidal was charging the officers, he said he noticed Vidal had the effects of a taser. He said Vidal went down to the floor. Vassey said Vidal immediately recovered from the taser. He said he knows that from training, because Vidal began to push up from the floor.
Vassey said he drew his weapon when Vidal darted into the bathroom. He said he placed it down by his side, because he was concerned. Vassey said he yelled, “Tase him again.” He said Vidal was not under control. Vassey said the taser had not been deployed when he yelled for them to do so.
Vassey said it was chaos. He said there were hands and bodies pulling in every direction. He said officer Thomas lost control of Vidal. Vassey said Thomas then, had his back against the wall and Vidal was on the floor facing officer Thomas. He said Vidal threw back his hand.
Vassey said the screwdriver was in Vidal’s hand. Vassey said Vidal was coming at Thomas. He said the pick was inches from Thomas’s neck. Vassey said Vidal jerked his hand. Then, Vassey said he felt at that moment, he felt he needed to use deadly force. Vassey said it appeared Vidal was attacking officer Thomas.
Vassey said he fired the gun and Vidal went down. Vassey said Thomas was struggling, so he went down to help. Thomas removed the pick from Vidal’s hand and handed it to Vassey. Vassey said he and Thomas cuffed Vidal.
Vassey said Vidal’s step dad said, ” You shot my F***** kid.”
Vassey said, ” I had no choice. I had to defend my officers.”
Vassey said the deputy was trying to restrain Vidal’s mother. Vassey said he talked to officer Thomas outside.
“Thank god I had the view I had or the shot I had or he would have killed you,” Vassey said to Thomas.
Vassey said he told dispatch shots had been fired and he said told them he had to defend myself. He said it was a difficult situation. He was then transported to the Boiling Spring Lakes Police Department. He said he told an SBI agent about the pick in his back pocket.
Vassey said it is a tragic situation he thinks about every day. He said he knows in his heart he had no other choice given the circumstances.
The state asked Vassey about his interview with SBI agents 17 days after the incident with two lawyers present. They asked Vassey why he told SBI agents he did not know what hand Vidal was using to hold the pick, but told the court he did know.
Prosecutors also asked Vassey to confirm that he did not know Vidal was schizophrenic when he entered the house that night. Vassey said he did not know that.
The state asked Vassey about some of the radio traffic. Vassey said he did hear Officer Thomas tell dispatch is everything okay when they checked in. Vassey said sometimes an officer will say everything is okay if they are really focused on a situation.
The state asked Vassey why he considered the incident a stand off. Vassey said no one was communicating at the scene. The state also asked Vassey why he did not ask EMS what was going on before he went into the house. Vassey said his only focus was getting inside to help officer Thomas.
The state asked Vassey about some of the transcript from the incident. The state asked if Vassey heard Vidal’s parents saying not to shoot Vidal. Vassey said a lot of things were happening and it was chaotic. Vassey said he will not dispute the transcript.
Closing arguments will begin Wednesday.
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