Testimony begins in officer-involved shooting death trial

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The trial of Bryon Vassey, a former Southport police officer, continued Tuesday. Vassey is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the 2014 shooting death of Keith Vidal, 18.

Vidal’s stepfather, Mark Wilsey, took the stand today. He said Vidal’s mother asked him to call the police when Vidal wouldn’t put down a screw driver and needed medication. Wilsey said the teen had schizophrenia.

Wilsey said three officers went to his home to try to get Vidal to the hospital. According to his testimony, Boiling Spring Lakes officer John Thomas and Brunswick County Sheriff’s deputy Samantha Lewis were there first. He said Vassey arrived last. Wilsey said the two officers who were there first were trying to get Vidal to put down the screwdriver and leave on his own. Wilsey said when Vassey came in he said “I don’t have time for this, tase the kid.”

In a recording from Thomas’ audio recorder that statement wasn’t picked up but Wilsey maintains it was said.

Wilsey said he turned away to confront Vassey after it was said and then he hears a taser go off and a scuffle. Wilsey said moments later he and Thomas were struggling with Vidal in the hall way of his home, trying to get the screwdriver out of his hand, when he hears a gun go off. Wilsey said Vassey shot Vidal.

“I screamed at him, ‘What did you shoot him for?'” Wilsey said.

Defense attorney James Payne asked Wilsey about the screwdriver and his recollection of the what type of screwdriver Vidal had in his hand. Wilsey said it was a small screwdriver about five inches long. Payne asked if it could have been a longer “pick” screwdriver. Wilsey stuck with prior testimony.

Payne continued to grill Wilsey on details of his statement that he gave police after the incident. He found a few inconsistencies.

Wednesday a SBI investigator will take the stand.