Jury deliberates in day four of Webster trial

Friday was day four of Corporal Thomas Webster’s trial in Delaware. The Dover police officer is facing jail time for allegedly kicking Lateef Dickerson in the face, breaking his jaw. 

The jury was sent back for deliberations just before noon on Friday, but more than four hours later, they still hadn’t come back with a verdict. They will continue deliberations on Monday at 9 a.m. 

The jury has to decide if Corporal Webster caused a serious physical injury to Lateef Dickerson; and if he did it recklessly. If so, that would make him guilty of second degree assault. That charge is a felony, with maximum penalty of eight years in jail. 

However, third degree assault is also on the table. It’s a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a twenty-three hundred dollar fine. Third degree assault means a person caused physical injury to someone and did it intentionally.  

In closing arguments on Friday, the prosecution argued that Corporal Webster dislodged and dislocated Dickerson’s jaw to the point where it needed surgery, resulting in a “serious” physical injury. They say the kick Webster administered to Dickerson was done “recklessly.” They believe these factors make him guilty of second degree assault. 

However, the defense argued that Corporal Webster used good police practices to get control of the high intensity situation with Dickerson, who was believed to be armed at the time. Because of that, they say Corporal Webster is not guilty.