Key Witness in Weiss Trial Doesn’t Recall Police Statements
Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - The key witness in the Alexander Weiss murder trial was called to the stand Thursday and the jury was left to decide which version of his testimony to believe.
Weiss is charged with murder for shooting 17-year-old Muhammed Rahim after they were involved in a minor traffic accident in Rochester last year.
18-year-old Noah Dukart was with Rahim at the time of the shooting and was called by the prosecution to give his version of what happened after the accident. Dukart said he was the first to get out of the car as Weiss approached. He said it appeared they “were going to fight” and then Weiss went back to his car. Dukart said that’s when Rahim got out of their car and approached Weiss.
Dukart testified he saw Weiss raise and point his gun at Rahim. He said he then heard Rahim say “Do it” and moments later, he was shot.
Dukart testified he did not see Rahim act aggressively or have physical contact with Weiss. That differed from what he told police after the shooting.
Under cross-examination, Dukart was asked about his police interview which included his description of Rahim as an intimidating and aggressive person and how the two had threatened Weiss, in part because he had called 911. Dukart repeatedly responded by saying he didn’t recall giving those statements.
Dukart - who said he had taken some Xanax the night before the shooting - told the jury he has a better memory of what happened now than he did right after the shooting.
The trial is expected to continue into next week.
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