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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 enforcement· Florida 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

Downing’s testimony supplies a documented law-enforcement account of the Rivera traffic stop, including the citation record, passenger-field entry, and limits on available video and recollection.

Stephen Downing, a Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant, was a defense witness connected to a June 2014 speeding citation issued to Luis Emmanuel Rivera. His testimony concerned the citation, the possibility of dash-camera footage, his DUI-detection training, and the citation system’s passenger-field entry. He said he had no independent recollection of the stop or Rivera, while explaining that the passenger field defaulted to “no” unless he entered a number. Before his anticipated testimony in magbanua-retrial-2022, defense counsel raised concerns about newly provided information that appeared inconsistent with an earlier understanding that Rivera had been alone in the vehicle. The court recognized the issue’s importance to the defense and allowed counsel to obtain needed information from Downing 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 a speeding citation issued to Luis Rivera and the citation system's passenger-field entry.

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

A possible change in Stephen Downing's expected testimony about whether Luis Rivera was alone during a traffic stop prompted a defense disclosure challenge before his anticipated testimony.

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