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Jurors see video of dispute inside Kennett Walmart

By Jamel Major - bio | email | Twitter | Facebook

KENNETT, MO (WMC-TV) - For the first time Wednesday, jurors got a look at what happened inside a Kennett Wal-Mart three years ago, as they viewed surveillance video of an argument that started over a place in line. 

The video shows the defendant, Heather Ellis, moments after prosecutors say she cut in front of waiting customers at the store on January 6th.  In the video, Ellis can be seen shoving merchandise already placed on a conveyor belt out of the way, and she becomes belligerent when confronted.

During Thursday's testimony, several prosecution witnesses took the stand, including Kay McDaniel, an assistant manager at Wal-Mart.  McDaniel testified that she asked Ellis to leave the store after the argument escalated and police were called.

In the video shown to jurors, Ellis is escorted out of the store to the front parking lot.  Albert Fisher, who was a Kennett police officer during the incident, testified Ellis refused to calm down and leave the property. 

Fisher said Ellis was yelling and cursing, and began swinging her arms and kicking him in the shin as she resisted arrest.

Ellis had no comment on today's testimony, but she stood outside the courtroom with her family during a short break. 

Her mother was in tears as family members tried to console her.

Meanwhile, Ellis still maintains she was hassled by store employees and mistreated by Kennett police officers.

There was no word Thursday word yet on when testimony might wrap up in the case.  As many as 13 prosecution witnesses are expected to take the stand.

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