The federal trial began in the spring, more than eight months after the incident. Harlan arrived at the courthouse in a repaired wheelchair, accompanied by Simone and an attorney advising him about his own civil claim. The courtroom was crowded, though not as dramatic as television viewers might have expected. Lawyers arranged folders. Court staff checked microphones. Jurors entered with the solemn expression of people who knew they were being asked to decide something serious and wanted very much to get it right.
Derek sat at the defense table wearing a charcoal suit that made him look smaller than his uniform had. His face was pale, and he kept rubbing his thumb across one finger as though checking for a ring that was no longer there. Nolan Graves attended in the gallery as a representative of Derek's employment interests, while the criminal defense was led by Julian Price. Wyatt stood for the government with a stack of exhibits and a calm demeanor that gave no hint of the public attention outside.
The judge instructed jurors that the defendant was presumed innocent and that the government had to prove the charged conduct beyond reasonable doubt. The jurors were not there to decide whether Derek was likable, whether Harlan had an impressive career, or whether Oakridge had been embarrassed by the video. They had to decide whether the evidence established that Derek, acting as an officer, willfully used unreasonable force and deprived Harlan of a protected right. Harlan listened with approval. The law was most trustworthy when it insisted on particulars.
Wyatt's opening statement was spare. He described a disabled man trying to cross the street, an accidental spill, the availability of assistance, and an officer who chose force rather than a reasonable response. He promised the jury would see recordings, hear eyewitnesses, and examine what Derek wrote after the encounter. He did not describe the accused as an irredeemable monster. He said the case was about a decision made by a person wielding state authority, and whether that decision violated the law.
The defense offered a competing interpretation. Julian Price said Derek had responded to an unexpected obstruction in an active roadway and had tried to move a heavy device out of danger. He argued that the officer's language was unprofessional but that poor judgment did not automatically establish a willful federal civil-rights offense. The defense also suggested that Harlan's account might be influenced by his familiarity with investigative procedure and his understandable anger after being hurt. The jurors watched both attorneys closely.
Lila Bennett was the first major eyewitness. She entered the courtroom carrying a small handbag and the unmistakable anxiety of a person who had spent her life dealing with customers rather than federal lawyers. Wyatt asked about the bakery, how long she had known Harlan, and why she went outside. She explained the horn, the sight of the chair in the crosswalk, and the officer's raised voice. Then the recording was played.