Eureka Street trial open notebook
Haxhiaj on trial, police's relationship with ICE on the stand
After a full day of testimony we’re left with many more questions than answers and another day in court tomorrow. The prosecution has rested, Etel Haxhiaj’s defense may call one more witness, then closing arguments and deliberation from the six person jury.
Today, the trial went the entire day. We heard testimony from about five Worcester police officers, including Shauna McGuirk, the officer Haxhiaj is alleged to have assaulted. McGuirk’s testimony was inconsistent. She used one hand to grab and “escort” Haxhiaj, she said. Then, later, she said she used two hands. She stepped toward Haxhiaj, she said. Later: Haxhiaj pushed into her. It was all over the place. The story she set up with prosecutor Steven Gagne’s help was built on a set of key lies, but it read solid. Then the lunch break. After, under cross examination from Haxhiaj’s lawyer, Elizabeth Halloran, it fell apart. Her testimony was so at odds with her own body camera footage. The jurors watched with furrowed brows. Gagne went to the bench for a private conference with Judge Hillman. He looked stressed.
Here’s the clip from her angle of what they’re trying to call assault. Starts at the 2:30 mark.
We also learned, as Halloran took us through McGuirk’s own footage, that McGuirk initiated contact with Haxhiaj because an ICE agent told her to. McGuirk was among several Worcester police officers who during sworn testimony defaulted to the use of “we” when describing the ICE agents, tacitly admitting what we’ve all known since last May and city officials have staunchly denied: they showed up to help ICE carry out a deportation. They got the citizens they’re sworn to protect out of the way so ICE could take away a woman who had an open asylum claim which has since been granted.
Gagne, for his part, seems to think a slowed down two second clip taken out of context will win him the case. He showed it at least three times. He’s forgetting, I think, that there are other angles. Like this one.
0:18 mark if it doesn't start there automatically. This is what they’re trying to call assault: McGuirk going up to Haxhiaj, grabbing her, tossing her.
Gagne and judge Zachary Hillman did a great job preventing the real story: why the charges were filed—the context, the political considerations—from entering the record. Thomas Duffy was prevented from being called to the witness stand by Hillman. Gagne objected when questioning turned to the reason why the charges against Haxhiaj weren’t filed day of, but rather four days later. There was a sidebar conversation between the judge and the two lawyers. When they came back from the bench the conversation moved to another topic.
All this and more can be found in the public Google doc I’m using to collect all my notes. OPEN NOTEBOOK. I will continue updating that document tonight (I’m a handwritten notes person and have almost a full notebook to transfer). I will continue to update that document for Day 2. It’s messy but hey, so is this trial. I’ll post updates in this document as I can.
Updates on Bluesky as I can get them out. Andrew Quemere also has a ton of good observations from a live tweet thread on there.
Today, the officers on the stand gave the public its first glimpse at real accountability for the actions of the WPD that day. They had to sit there and watch their behavior with the jury. It was fascinating, in a dark way. It wouldn't happen if Haxhiaj hadn’t pushed this to a jury trial.
On my way down the stairs, after the judge called it for the day, I happened across an informal conference between Gagne and about 10 Worcester police officers, including Thomas Duffy of course. They saw us coming and ended the talk, but walked together down the stairs.
There’s many many facets to this worth spending significant time on. In due time! For now, I gotta get these notes punched in, record a podcast, then sleep. Back at it again tomorrow.
Please support this outlet if you can!