Forensic analysis of video evidence presented in a Barcelona courtroom indicates that a National Police officer did not aim directly at Roger Español when firing a rubber bullet during the October 1, 2017, independence referendum, according to testimony from the Mossos d’Esquadra. Specialists from the regional police force’s Audio and Visual Photography Unit told the court that a frame-by-frame review shows the riot police officer discharged his weapon toward the ground, with the projectile visibly bouncing off the pavement before striking Español in the face and causing the loss of one of his eyes.
Video Analysis and Trajectory Evidence
During Wednesday’s court session, technical experts detailed their findings from digital footage recorded outside Escola Ramon Llull. The analysis revealed that the officer had a partially obstructed field of vision when he fired the weapon. A black spot representing the bullet can be tracked hitting the street surface prior to impact.
An independent expert put forward by the prosecution, representing the British nonprofit Omega Research Foundation, testified that the officer was not looking down the barrel of the weapon at the moment of discharge and failed to properly aim. The same expert noted that the shooter fired from a position between two fellow officers, suggesting confidence in his marksmanship.
Distance Measurements and Regulatory Standards
Testimony also focused on the firing distance between the officer and Español. Standard police protocols dictate that rubber bullet shotguns should be fired from a minimum distance of 25 meters, with 15 meters permitted only under exceptional circumstances. Forensic specialists from the Mossos d’Esquadra calculated that the officer discharged the weapon from 14.12 meters away from Español, who collapsed to the ground immediately after the impact.
Four defendants, including three commanding officers and the individual who fired the weapon, face potential prison sentences of up to 13 years. The trial proceeds to its final scheduled session on Thursday, October 1, marking the anniversary of the events. The defendants are expected to present their final statements before closing arguments from both prosecutors and defense teams.
Law Enforcement Testimony on Operational Risk
Representatives from the Guardia Civil and the National Police also testified during the evidentiary phase, defending the police intervention around Escola Ramon Llull. Law enforcement witnesses maintained that the tactical response was appropriate and that officers faced severe operational risks due to aggressive crowds and verbal hostility from demonstrators.
Defense attorneys utilized video footage showing protesters blocking police vans transporting ballot boxes to substantiate claims regarding threats to officer safety. Conversely, prosecution lawyers maintain that the shooting constituted an intentional punitive action rather than a defensive measure.
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