Families of victims testify, state and defense rest cases in former MCPD officer manslaughter trial

RICHMOND, Texas (KTRK) -- The fourth day of trial in the case of the former Missouri City police officer charged with manslaughter saw emotional testimony and a field trip outside the courtroom.

The jurors and Blademir Viveros, who is accused of killing three people in a high-speed wreck while responding to an emergency, were taken outside the courtroom to see the mangled vehicles involved in the crash.

On Friday, the state and the defense rested their cases after the families of the three victims delivered emotional testimonies. The trial will continue on Monday, when closing arguments are expected to begin shortly after noon. Charges are also expected to be discussed on Monday.

Viveros is charged in a crash that killed three people, including a mother and her 16-year-old son, and a prisoner who was unsecured in the back seat of his cruiser, in June 2024 on Cartwright Road. Prosecutors say Viveros was going 107 mph as he was responding to an emergency call without his lights and sirens on.

SEE ALSO: Tense back-and-forth exchanged in third day of trial of former officer charged with manslaughter

Investigators said 53-year-old Angela Stewart and 16-year-old Mason Stewart were pulling out of a Missouri City shopping center parking lot when Viveros slammed into them. That day was Mason's 16th birthday.

A man in the back of the police car, identified by family as Michael Hawkins, died after being left there for hours following the crash. Investigators said Hawkins was unrestrained and unconscious when he was found after firefighters put out the fire of the police vehicle.

ORIGINAL REPORT: 16-year-old 'died on his birthday' when Missouri City police car hit him and his mom, dad says

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