The trial of Bernell Butler continued this week, with more fireworks, as Pastor Ron Gibson was handcuffed and taken into a holding cell, after presiding judge Edward D. Webster cited him for contempt of court, for refusing to answer a question, according to a judicial ruling.

"I will not take part in the railroading of this man, out of revenge for him firing the four officers responsible for killing Tyisha Miller," Gibson said on the stand, after defense attorney Mark Blankenship had asked him a question about the composition of an association of churches, and prosecutor Brian Sussman had objected. After Webster during recess explained his position, Gibson called him a racist and a bigot, and was then handcuffed and taken to jail, by two sheriffs. After Webster had left to cool off for fifteen minutes, he returned and upon urging by Blankenship released Gibson. Sussman objected strenuously to allowing Gibson to continue his testimony. "He has proven he can not answer the questions, follow the rules, because he has an agenda," Sussman said. "He is without fear and says what comes to mind." Webster signed, and told the lawyers, that he did not want to be assigned this trial. "two weeks ago, I could have been in family court, and I wish I were," he said, regarding his reassigment. Gibson was allowed to continue, but was baited by Sussman, who repeatedly asked as a question, are you threatening me, am I a racist? Gibson said, if you say it, must be true.

Webster, in his 16 years on the bench, had never arrested a witness for contempt, but Gibson was the second in less than a week. The first defense witness Henry Smith, was threatened with arrest and five days in jail for refusing to answer a question about who he ate breakfast with, the morning of his testimony. "what does that have to do with anything," he asked Webster.

Witness after witness has recanted the version of events presented by the Reverend Paul Munford that Butler had choked him, by saying that Munford had provoked Butler who had set his hands on his shoulders to calm him down. One witness confessed to choking Munford himself in an effort to restrain him and protect Butler. All of the witnesses for the defense who were members of the Tyisha Miller Steering Committee said that they all were upset with Munford for trying to promote a community night of healing when there was still "glass in the wound." Several testified that they distrusted him for having secret meetings with former Police Chief Jerry Carroll and other civic leaders. The jury sat through it, befuddled but several were overheard in an elevator saying they would miss the trial when it was over.

The trial is well in its second week, and each day, the seats have been filled with prosecutors who snicker and laugh among themselves about what is going on. One prosecutor was overheard making disparaging comments about a female witness in a wheelchair, saying that she probably really didn't need it. In the past week, more deputies have been stationed in the courtroom, now totaling four more than the usual one, with two placed on either side of the courtroom doors.

I'm glad to see someone reporting the blow by blow on this story. So thanks.

I need some help on this one, however. I never got the full story about the Tyisha Miller shooting, I only got the corporate media version. That version made it sound like Tyisha Miller had a gun and raised it so that the officers would have sufficient reason to think their lives were in danger, and so they did what they are trained to do at the academy which is to yell "gun" and start shooting.

If someone could give me the missing facts or the undistorted truth I would greatly appreciate it. This is a sincere request for information and perspective. I'm trying to learn not to listen to the corporate media, but I'm still in process.

The truth is that the officers told three different stories of the shooting. The first is that she fired the gun at them, but that had to be changed when the gun was tested and found to be inoperable. Then they said she pointed the gun(some officers still tell that account), but finally in the statements, they said that they saw her reach for something on her lap. Officer Paul Bugar said that he was shaking like a leaf, and drew his gun upon leaving his vehicle, when he saw her two cousins. Daniel Hotard testified that he felt a shot wizzing by his head(probably from Bugar's gun, when he fired the first shot which he never had to explain to authorities) At least 24 shots, possibly more were fired by the officers, 12 struck Tyisha, either in her back or the back of her head. Her gun was found underneath her jacket. Most of this is from the DA's office's report on the case, which is probably still posted somewhere, maybe on the Riverside County District Attorneys web site.

Community members are skeptical of even this version largely b/c the officers changed their story three times, so what were the previous stories, if each time they give a version, they say that's the truth?