By Rhys Baker

The jury trial of former Sheriff’s Deputy Harold “Hank” Stellner continues this afternoon at the Clay County Courthouse, and is currently in the hands of the jury to decide.

This afternoon, the jury heard testimony from K-B-I special agent Crystal Hornseth, who interviewed Stellner, Sullivan, and others following the incident.

During her testimony, the defendant’s attorney, Chris Joseph, pointed out that during the interview, Hornseth told Sullivan that she was struck on the back, even though Sullivan had testified that she was intoxicated and her memory of the incident was blurry. Sullivan also testified she ripped down a shower curtain and broke a phone and trash can while in the cell. Sullivan also covered the camera with wet toilet paper several times over the course of the almost two-hour incident, bringing several officers back to the cell to remove the obstructions

Several other officers, including Deputy Luke Deneke, former corrections officer Jason Burwell, and Reserve Officer Paul Tessaro, also testified regarding their recollections of the incident in September of last year. 

Defendant Harold “Hank” Stellner testified that Sulivan attempted to leave the cell and escape. However, that information was not included in his initial report.

In closing remarks, Judge Wheeler, the Prosecution, and the defense all reminded jurors that there are two separate counts: mistreatment of a confined person and battery. The state asked jurors to convince Stellner of both, while the defense pointed out that the jury had to decide if the incident included ill-treatment or abuse by Stellner. The jury started their deliberations at 3:32 p.m.