WEST FORK, Ark. — The negligent homicide trial of former West Fork police officer Christopher Cordeiro began on Dec. 3.
The charge stems from a deadly traffic stop Cordeiro initiated as an officer on Dec. 29, 2022. Arkansas State Police (ASP) investigated his actions during the traffic stop, which left 49-year-old Michael Hanna dead.
On the first day of the trial, the jury heard testimony from witnesses, a medical examiner, and law enforcement personnel who responded to the call.
The jury, which is evenly split between six women and six men, watched Cordeiro's body cam footage as well as body cam footage from responding officer Katelyn Griffin. The video shows Griffin applying life-saving measures to Hanna.
When the medical examiner took the stand, he said there were several causes of Hanna's death. According to the examiner, he died from complications of heart disease, illicit drugs in his system, and the circumstances of his death, which were restraint, struggle, and physical exertion.
The trial is set to continue Wednesday morning, as they work toward delivering a verdict in the case.
The traffic stop
According to ASP, Hanna was pulled over for a suspended license along U.S. Highway 71 in West Fork. Hanna allegedly told Cordeiro that his blood sugar was low and that he needed to eat some food before stepping out of his vehicle, which Cordeiro had asked him to do.
After a back-and-forth, Hanna agreed to get out if Cordeiro “got out of the way,” according to documents.
It was then Cordeiro “reached in the vehicle and physically removed” Hanna, telling him if he didn't comply, he would “use his Taser,” documents state. Hanna responded to the threat of being tased by saying he had a heart condition.
When Hanna “did not put his hands behind his back,” Cordeiro tased him. Officials said Hanna “fell to the ground and began rolling around.” Cordeiro allegedly tased him “multiple times,” and called for backup. Hanna is documented as saying “multiple times” that he couldn't breathe after he was tased by Cordeiro.
Cordeiro's backup was Officer Griffin with the Greenland Police Department. When she arrived, Cordeiro had Hanna “restrained face down in a ditch," according to officials. Griffin reportedly checked for a pulse and didn't find one.
Griffin called paramedics, who declared Hanna dead at the scene after they got there.
According to the autopsy, the cause of Hanna's death was revealed to be “a combination of heart disease, methamphetamine intoxication, along with physical exertion, struggle, and restraint.” The autopsy also revealed that Hanna's injuries from the Taser “played a role in his death.” The autopsy said it's unclear how much the tasing was related to the death, but it tied in.
He pleaded not guilty to the negligent homicide charge at a court appearance on Aug. 9, 2023.
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