Sergeant testifies in rape trial involving former Yuma cop

The felony rape trial against a former Yuma police officer continued Monday in San Diego.

Jared Elkin’s accuser was called to testify for a second time over her prescribed medication.

In court, Elkin’s accuser revealed to the counsel she was prescribed Adderall for ADHD and is on three separate medications for anxiety and depression.

The judge told jurors they are trying to present all evidence that both sides of the counsel could explore.

The accuser told jurors she’s been taking prescriptions since puberty. The defense tried to question the alleged victim to see if she took any medication the night of the alleged incident.

Previously, the 23-year-old woman testified that the family was watching a movie while drinking beer and wine before the alleged incident took place.

She was adamant about being transparent with her doctor about her drinking habits. She added her doctor didn’t raise any concern for mixing her medication with alcohol. She also told counsel she didn’t take some medication the night of the incident.

The patrol sergeant at the time, Sgt. Garrick Nugent was also called to the stand to testify.

Nugent is a 23-year veteran with the San Diego Police Department. He spoke to Elkin’s accuser that night after hearing the call over a police scanner.

He has worked in the sex crimes unit at the department.

“We learn lots of different techniques and design to help familiarize yourself and build rapport with the victim. Things such as bringing yourself down to their level so you’re not standing above somebody talking to them. Speaking slowly, calmly,” Sgt. Nugent added.

He was questioned about the body-cam video released from the night of the alleged incident and about comments made by Elkin’s accuser.

In the video, you can hear her saying, “There’s not a victim.”

“Specifically what I said to her is I had dealt with many rape victims. She replied, ‘I’m not a victim.’ I then replied, ‘You’re right, you’re not a victim. You’re a survivor’,” Sgt. Nugent said.

According to Sgt. Nugent, it’s against department policy for an officer to record sexual assault victims on camera. One officer’s body-camera was rolling when Elkin’s accuser was in the back of the patrol car that night, raising concern from the defense.

“If someone is a witness to an alleged crime, you want to document their statements about what happened, right?” Elkin’s attorney, Trip Johnston, asked.

Sgt. Nugent didn’t record his conversation with the alleged victim that night, but the video shown to the court Monday shows the moment another officer turned off his body-worn camera.

“You did not discipline Officer (inaudible) for using his body-worn camera in this event?” asked Johnston.

“I did not as I was unaware that he was even using his body-worn camera at the time and learned that just today,” Nugent replied.

The trial will continue Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. We’re expected to hear from bio tox experts about DNA results taken from that night.

Jared Elkins is also expected to take the stand sometime soon.