Opinion ID: 2998977
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Corporal Mark Coons

Text: Corporal Coons testified about his interactions with Stoneking while the two stood outside the apartment building, but he did not explain how the two came to be standing in front of the building to together. Coons never said that he saw Stoneking exit his car or enter the apartment complex, nor did he testify that he saw Stoneking leave the building. He merely described the interaction between Stoneking and himself after Stoneking appeared near the building. Coons maintained that he and Stoneking spent the time standing near the front porch of the building and talking. He was unable to recall the nature of the conversation. Coons testified that he never touched or attempted to physically detain Stoneking, and that Stoneking never attempted to leave or expressed an intention or desire to leave the scene. Contrary to Stoneking’s later testimony, Coons did not recall telling Stoneking that he could not get his coat from the car or that he could not leave. But Coons conceded that, because he “didn’t know what the officers had upstairs,” he would not have allowed Stoneking to leave if he had asked or tried to depart. Coons contradicted himself later; he testified that he went with Inspector Kitner to Kitner’s truck, leaving Stoneking alone, which he said he would not have done if he was trying to detain Stoneking. No. 05-2609 Page 5