ST. LOUIS — “Calm, collected, not, not animated.”
“Nonchalant demeanor, like non-remorseful.”
“He was relatively calm for what he had just went through, he was more concerned about himself than the child who had been injured.”
“Nonchalant, just nonchalant, relaxed.”
All four statements are how four officers who took the stand Wednesday described Daniel Riley’s demeanor in the moments and hours after police say he caused a crash that cost a 17-year-old volleyball player both of her legs.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore’s Office questioned the officers, who were among seven witnesses to testify during the second day of trial.
Jurors also heard from an officer who examined the black box inside Riley’s car, which showed he accelerated from 5 mph to 45 mph in the five seconds before he collided with a Malibu, which sent him into a parked car, pinning Janae Edmondson and severing her legs.
It happened in February 2023 at the intersection of St. Charles and 11th streets.
Riley’s defense attorney, Daniel Diemer, argued the officers responded with emotion upon seeing Janae’s traumatic injuries.
The officers said Riley asked them where his cellphone was, and one officer admitted to telling his comrades, “He’s a real charmer,” when they were watching Riley at the hospital.
“So you let a little bit of emotion get in there?” Diemer asked the officer.
Riley is facing armed criminal action, multiple counts of assault and driving without a license charges.
A toxicologist also testified that Riley had Fentanyl, codeine and THC in his blood, which was taken at the hospital. The expert said it would make him drowsy, and could cause loss of consciousness.
Officers also testified that Riley told them at the scene he yielded at the intersection, was only going between 15 and 20 mph, and that he “must have blacked out” and left his foot on the accelerator after the Malibu hit him.
Riley told the officers, “I wasn’t driving no Hellcat,” when they asked him if he was speeding, according to the testimony. A Hellcat is a model of a Dodge Challenger known for its power.
The officers also said Riley asked them repeatedly if he was being booked and released.
Diemer got officers to admit that is a common question for anyone who has been taken into custody.
An accident reconstruction expert also showed jurors 3D animations of the accident.
Judge Michael Noble told jurors at the beginning of trial he hoped to have it wrapped up before the weekend.
Janae Edmondson and her mother, Marilyn, will testify Thursday, according to an update shared to the "Pray for Janae" GoFundMe campaign. "Keep us in your prayers," her mother's post said.