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personpersonStephen DowningStephen DowningFlorida Highway Patrol trooper, later sergeant, who issued Luis Rivera a speeding citation on June 4, 2014.← All People
Law enforcementFlorida Highway Patrol

Stephen Downing

Courtroom still of Stephen Downing.

Florida Highway Patrol trooper, later sergeant, who issued Luis Rivera a speeding citation on June 4, 2014.

AppearedGarcia–MagbanuaMagbanua Retrial
91 lines·10 proceedings·6 mentions·2 trials

About

Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant Stephen Downing was a defense witness concerning a June 4, 2014 traffic stop in which Luis Rivera received a speeding citation. At the 2019 joint trial, Downing identified Rivera as the cited driver, explained that the absence of an incident report indicated he had not suspected alcohol impairment, and described how his patrol vehicle's dash camera operated. He acknowledged having no independent recollection of the stop, citation, or driver and said non-criminal footage was retained for about 30 days. He also clarified that the citation system's passenger field defaulted to "no" unless an officer entered a number, so it did not establish that Rivera was alone. Before Downing's anticipated testimony at the 2022 retrial, counsel disputed a newly produced database screenshot and a possible change in his expected account of whether a passenger was present; the court permitted the defense to obtain the needed information from him before he testified.

Trial Record (10)

GMGarcia–MagbanuaSep 26, 2019 – Oct 11, 2019Called by defense

Called by Garcia's defense on Day 8, Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant Stephen Downing testified about Luis Rivera's June 2014 speeding citation, dash-camera recording, and the citation system's passenger-field default.

Day 1

Day 5

Day 6

Day 8

DirectStephen Downing - DirectStephen DowningSaam Zangeneh2highlights64lines spoken

Summary

Sergeant Stephen Downing identified Rivera on a 2014 speeding citation, described no impairment-related incident report, and explained the patrol car's dash-camera capability.

Highlights (2)

Quote“Yes, I identified him by his license, whether he gave me the license or I ran it on the computer and got an ID back.”— Stephen DowningDowning explained the basis for identifying Rivera as the driver listed on the citation.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
CrossStephen Downing - CrossStephen DowningGeorgia Cappleman2highlights18lines spoken

Summary

The State highlighted the limited retention of traffic-stop video, Downing's lack of independent memory, and an automatic default in the citation's passenger field.

Highlights (2)

RedirectStephen Downing - RedirectStephen DowningSaam Zangeneh2highlights7lines spoken

Summary

Downing said the citation's passenger field defaulted to “no” unless he entered a passenger number, then acknowledged related deposition testimony.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightDowning explained that the citation system defaulted the passenger field to “no” unless he entered a passenger number, and that entering the number was not required to submit a citation.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“It would always default to "no."”— Stephen DowningDowning clarified that the citation's passenger field could reflect a system default rather than an affirmative observation that no passengers were present.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
KMMagbanua RetrialMay 18, 2022 – May 27, 2022

Anticipated defense testimony about whether Luis Rivera was alone during a traffic stop prompted a disclosure challenge over a possible change in Stephen Downing's account and a newly produced database screenshot.

Day 3

Day 6

ProceduralDefense Raises Richardson Issue Over Trooper Downing's Changed Account of Rivera Traffic Stop2highlightsMentioned

Summary

Judge Wheeler found no prejudice from a late-disclosed possible change in Trooper Downing's traffic-stop account and allowed the defense to address it before calling him.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Highlights (2)

procedural actionDefense counsel raised a discovery issue after receiving a database screenshot and learning that Trooper Downing might now testify that Luis Rivera had a passenger during a traffic stop, contrary to his prior deposition and trial testimony as described by counsel.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
rulingJudge Wheeler found no prejudice because the State had received the information that day and the defense could speak with Trooper Downing before calling him; he left open a different issue if the witness indicated improper influence.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 7