Opinion ID: 2978761
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sims’ Trial Testimony

Text: When Sims testified at a preliminary hearing a year before trial, she stated that she did not see what happened at the critical moment when Robinson shot Irwin and had no idea whether Irwin reached for his gun. Sims also stated that Robinson “just stared at [her]” after shooting Irwin and said that he had to kill Irwin or Irwin would have killed him. Sims’ trial testimony, however, differed significantly from her testimony at the preliminary hearing. At trial, Sims stated that when Irwin turned into the parking lot, he did so slowly and with a pork chop sandwich in his right hand, thus making it unlikely that Irwin grabbed his gun with his right hand. She also stated that after shooting Irwin, Robinson was “smiling,” which paints Robinson as cold and calculating and contradicts his assertion that shooting Irwin was self-defense rather than premeditation. Robinson’s lawyers attempted to impeach Sims at trial, questioning her about her drug addiction and referencing the disparities between her trial testimony and her testimony at the preliminary hearing. 1 Robinson’s father was employed by the PCSO and Smith’s husband was a former task force officer. No. 09-5243 Robinson v. Mills Page 6