Bennett added the video to the evidence comparison file.
The next witness, Robert Lewis, arrived later that day.
He explained that he had been standing beside a parked sedan when he heard shouting.
Robert Lewis: "I didn't see the first part, but I saw the officer standing very close to her. She looked upset, and he kept telling everyone to stay back."
Detective Bennett: "Did you see him use force?"
Robert Lewis: "I saw him holding her hair for a moment. She was trying to pull away."
Detective Bennett: "Did you see her attack him?"
Robert Lewis: "No."
Detective Bennett: "Did you hear her threaten him?"
Robert Lewis: "No. She kept asking why he had touched her."
Robert provided his original recording, which captured the officer telling bystanders to stop filming.
Bennett arranged for it to be preserved and added his statement to the case file.
By the end of the week, the investigator had collected the main recordings and completed the first evidence timeline.
The next major step was interviewing Officer Brooks.
The interview was scheduled for the following Monday.
Brooks arrived at the Professional Standards Division with a department representative. He looked considerably less confident than he had in the parking garage.
Bennett placed the incident timeline on the table.
Detective Bennett: "Officer Brooks, this interview concerns your encounter with Naomi Carter at Westbridge Shopping Center. I want you to provide a complete and accurate account of what happened."
Officer Brooks: "I understand."
Detective Bennett: "Why did you approach Ms. Carter?"
Officer Brooks: "I was conducting patrol and noticed something unusual near the vehicle."
Detective Bennett: "What specifically did you observe?"
Officer Brooks: "She was standing beside a luxury SUV with several shopping bags."
Detective Bennett: "Did you receive a report identifying that vehicle?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
Detective Bennett: "Did dispatch provide information about Ms. Carter?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
Detective Bennett: "Did you observe her committing an offense?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
Detective Bennett: "Then what made you believe she was involved in suspicious activity?"
Brooks paused.
Officer Brooks: "I thought it was worth checking."
Detective Bennett: "What did you tell her when you approached?"
Officer Brooks: "I told her to step away from the vehicle."
Detective Bennett: "Did you explain why?"
Officer Brooks: "I told her there had been suspicious activity."
Detective Bennett: "Did you identify any specific information that connected her to that activity?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
Bennett opened the body camera recording.
Detective Bennett: "Let's discuss the way you communicated with her."
The recording played.
Officer Brooks: "Don't get smart with me. Just answer the questions."
Bennett paused it.
Detective Bennett: "Do you recognize that statement?"
Officer Brooks: "Yes."
Detective Bennett: "Do you believe it was professional?"
Officer Brooks: "I could have handled it differently."
Detective Bennett: "Why did you become frustrated when she asked whether she was being detained?"
Officer Brooks: "She kept questioning my instructions."
Detective Bennett: "Was she physically resisting you?"
Officer Brooks: "Not at that point."
Detective Bennett: "Did she threaten you?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
Detective Bennett: "Did she attempt to strike you?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
Bennett moved to the next part of the recording.
Detective Bennett: "Explain the physical contact."
Brooks looked at the screen.
Officer Brooks: "I believed she was not cooperating, and I thought she might reach for something."
Detective Bennett: "What did you see her reach for?"
Officer Brooks: "Her handbag."
Detective Bennett: "Did you see a weapon?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
Detective Bennett: "Did she make a threatening movement toward you?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
Detective Bennett: "Then why did you strike her?"
Brooks lowered his eyes.
Officer Brooks: "I reacted badly."
Detective Bennett: "Did you grab her hair?"
Officer Brooks: "Yes."
Detective Bennett: "Why?"
Officer Brooks: "The situation escalated."
Detective Bennett: "What specific action by Ms. Carter required you to use that level of force?"
Brooks did not answer immediately.
Officer Brooks: "I thought I needed to maintain control."
Detective Bennett: "Control of what? She was asking you to explain why you had approached her."
Brooks rubbed his forehead.
Officer Brooks: "I felt like she was challenging my authority."
Bennett looked directly at him.
Detective Bennett: "Did you believe that questioning your authority was itself a threat?"
Officer Brooks: "At the time, I felt she wasn't respecting my instructions."
Detective Bennett: "That does not answer the question."
Brooks remained silent.
Bennett continued.