WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO
EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) — It has been almost two years since an Edmond officer was violently run over by a suspect on the run from police. Another officer’s dashcam showed the moment of impact. Wednesday both the suspect and the officer were in court.
The case is set for jury trial in November 2024. Wednesday morning during a status conference, Sgt. Joseph Wells was prepared to come face to face with the man who nearly took his life two years ago.
Radio traffic:
"He's coming back northbound."
"We have an officer down. Officer down. Send medical quick."
The video is haunting. On this September day in 2022, Sgt. Joseph Wells was clearing debris out of the roadway during a high-speed chase when the suspect made a U-turn and plowed over Wells. His recovery has been miraculous but not without complication.
"There's just constant pain shooting down my leg nonstop all day long,” Wells said.
"How do you live like that?"
"It's one of the reasons I don't get out of my chair,” he said. “If I go anywhere, I try to stay out of public."
On Wednesday, Wells made an exception and wheeled into the Oklahoma County Courthouse to face Garrett Trammel in Judge Amy Palumbo’s courtroom. Everyone was there except the judge – an unexpected absence to the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office and to Sgt. Wells who remained in a closed-door hallway.
Trammel was one of the first to take a seat. Another judge took over, and now with two dockets and one judge there was standing room only.
That much anticipated courtroom encounter did not happen.
"We met with the State of Oklahoma, and conversations are ongoing as they always are in cases especially cases of this gravity,” Trammell’s attorney, Jacqui Ford, said. “We checked in the with court, let them know where we are, and we'll continue to work both sides diligently to find a very fair and reasonable resolution to this matter."
Trammell’s side of that conversation included a plea deal of 15 years in prison. Eighty-five percent of that sentence would be served. Sgt. Wells does not believe that 12 years compares to the life-altering assault that almost killed him.
The deal was rejected.
"It's been a lot of ups and downs mentally, anxiety, depression. A lot of times I just sit here and think about what's happened and what's going to happen and what the future holds,” Wells said.
Part of that could be determined on September 4 when their next court date is scheduled.
"Garrett's family remains incredibly supportive of Garrett. He was here today with multiple family members, grandparents, cousins, his parents,” Ford said. “What I know for sure is that the family's thoughts and prayers remain focused on Sgt. Wells' ongoing recovery. We know that that recovery has a lot further to go, and he continues to fight to get better. Their prayers are with Officer Wells every single day."
Trammell is charged with seven felony counts including five counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He is out on a $900,000 bond.
Hear more of Sgt. Wells interview and about his recovery Thursday night at 10.
