Trial parameters have been set in the murder case against former Mesa police officer Philip Brailsford.
Court records show that the proposed trial date for the case to begin is May 9, 2017. The trial is expected to last two weeks and about 20 witnesses are expected to testify.
The state's discovery is expected to be completed by the end July 2016, with the defense's discovery to be completed by the end of September.
The defense is expected to call at least one expert witness, Emanuel Kapelsohn of the Peregrine Corporation. According to it's website, "Kapelsohn is the President of The Peregrine Corporation, an internationally-recognized firearms and use of force training consultant. Since 1980, he has instructed thousands of police and security officers, federal agents, military personnel and civilians throughout the United States and abroad."
Brailsford stands accused of shooting an unarmed man, Daniel Shaver, at a Mesa hotel. He has pleaded not guilty in the second-degree murder case, and Mesa has fired him from the force. According to court documents, the state has offered Brailsford an offer to plead guilty to 'negligent homicide, non-dangerous', which he declined. No additional plea negotiations are expected.
The Jan. 18 shooting occurred as officers faced a high-risk situation when guests reported a man pointing a rifle out of the window of a Mesa hotel.
Brailsford maintains he opened fire out of fear that Shaver was reaching for a gun as Shaver was laying on the ground.
