DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIGA — The resisting arrest and obstruction of justice trial of Janet Hawkins began this morning with key witness Rommel Scalf, a former Holly Hill police officer who arrested the former police investigator back in 2009.
Hawkins, 47, of Ormond Beach lost her job with Daytona Beach police after her arrest, which involved a scuffle with Scalf and another officer. She was looking for her 25-year-old son when officers said she failed to comply with their orders. One of the officers tried to use a Taser, when Hawkins grabbed his wrist, according to testimony.
A scuffle ensued, in which two Holly Hill police officers said they were injured.
Defense lawyer Gayle Graziano, a former judge, put Scalf on the defensive this morning. Under cross examination, she asked Scalf about his departure from the department after he was involved in another incident involving a Taser.
“I resigned before the investigation over the Taser use (was completed) ,” Scalf said.
Graziano also says the Taser should never have been used on Hawkins, for “verbally and passively” resisting the officers.
If convicted, Hawkins faces up to six years in prison. Circuit Judge Joseph Will is presiding.
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