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Police officer takes witness stand in Deedy trial

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DENNIS ODA/DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
State Department special agent Christopher Deedy (second from right) listens to his attorney in Circuit Court today.

The jury in the Christopher Deedy murder trial today heard from another police witness who testified that the U.S. State Department special agent smelled of alcohol and appeared to be wobbly on his feet in the early morning of Nov. 5, 2011, after he fatally shot a Kailua man at a Waikiki McDonald’s.

Retired Honolulu Police Sgt. Kenneth Schreiner told the Circuit Court jury that Deedy slurred his speech, seemed "semi-unsteady on his feet," and that his eyes appeared glassy.

"He didn’t talk a lot; he was quiet, but when he responded it was slurry," said Schreiner, who was one of the first officers to respond to the scene. Schreiner also said Deedy’s breath smelled of alcohol when he spoke.

Earlier this week, the jury also heard from a police evidence specialist and another HPD officer who both testified of smelling a strong odor of alcohol from Deedy after the fatal shooting.

Deedy, 29, is charged with murdering Kollin Elderts, 23, at the fast-food restaurant. Deedy, of Arlington, Va., was on Oahu to help provide security for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference.

The prosecution alleges that Deedy was fueled by alcohol and inexperience and shot the unarmed Elderts without justification. The defense contends Deedy fired to ward off a drunken Elderts who was attacking him and grabbing at his gun.

A firearm expert took the stand after Schreiner and continued her testimony this afternoon.

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