Testimoney in Bradley trial focuses on drug use

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Testimony wrapped early Friday in the trial for the man accused of killing a Brevard County deputy.

Brandon Bradley is accused of killing Deputy Barbara Pill during a traffic stop in 2012.

The prosecution rested in the case on Thursday and on Friday it was the defense's turn to present its case to the jury.

During trial Friday, the judge implied there may be a reason why Bradley’s eyes were heavy in court and that he could barely move his body.

“Brandon Lee Bradley currently is being administered psychotropic medication under medical supervision,” Judge Morgan Reinman.

Much of the testimony Friday centered on Bradley's alleged years of drug use.

Toxicologist Dr. Susan Skolly told the jury that Bradley has been smoking marijuana since he was 12.

She told jurors that there was marijuana and three other drugs in Bradley's system on the day Pill was shot and killed.

Skolly testified that she looked at Bradley's blood and urine tests and interviewed him twice.

The defense used her to argue that Bradley's decision making was influenced by those drugs the day of the shooting.

Skolly said that Bradley fell off of his chair three times when he was originally interviewed by authorities, because he was impaired.

Much of Skolly's testimony focused on Bradley's alleged excessive use of marijuana.  She said he would smoke it as often as 10 times a day.

"Marijuana affects certain activities. It affects executive function, this function influences our behavior as far as organization, our planning, impulse," Skolly said on the stand.

During cross-examination of Skolly, prosecutors said she did not have a lot of years of experience in the field.

The judge told jurors voluntary drug use is not a defense for a crime.

The prosecution pointed out during questioning that the toxicology expert does not have a doctorate degree in forensic toxicology and is not board certified in the field.

Scheduling issues with witnesses forced the judge to send the judge home before noon Friday. The defense will continue presenting its case when the trial resumes Monday morning.

The judge told the jurors that she expected them to begin deliberating the case on Tuesday.

WFTV