CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The legal battle between Robstown veteran Le Roy Torres and the State of Texas continued Wednesday morning.
Courtroom proceedings resumed with a series of testimonies for a second day. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) called its witnesses to the stand. Among the four who testified against Torres claims was Rhonda Lawson, Major, Texas Highway Patrol and Edward Burris, a retired Marine and former DPS lieutenant.
The defense attorney asked Lawson if there was anyone who had set Mr. Torres up for failure with accommodations for his condition. She disagree with the accusation and said that it was “ludicrous.” She also stated the DPS office had done everything within their power to ensure he was accommodated and remained employed.
Burris, who retired as a lieutenant after 20 years of service with the DPS explained that he was a mentor to Torres through an internal DPS program called the Department’s Veteran Assistance Program (DVAP). Burris noted that he suffers from a similar condition to Torres, due to combat.
“I’m a fact witness. This is difficult for me. Le Roy Torres is a friend," he said during his testimony. “But I don’t believe Le Roy comes correct that DPS discriminates against service members.”
The attorneys for Torres rebutted with a question to Burris, asking, “Who told you that? Are those your understandings of the allegations?
Burris replied, “those are my understandings of the allegations.”
The trial for the civil case is scheduled to continue at the Nueces County Courthouse on Thursday at 9 a.m. The trial process started on Monday with jury selection. On Tuesday, Torres's legal team started their witness testimonies with Torres at the stand.
During his testimony Torres claimed his supervisors pressured him to resign from DPS due to his medical condition and he complied.
His attorneys also went over documents, which aimed to prove that Torres would’ve earned about $1,266,119.19 if he kept his role as a state trooper from the time he resigned in 2012 to the present date. The amount considers an accumulation of salaries, benefits and anticipated promotions. Torres's lawsuit seeks financial damages.
Once all witnesses testify and the cross-examination is complete, closing arguments can be made and the jury can make their deliberation and verdict.
Closing arguments for the trial will heard on Friday, Sept. 29.
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