The court proceedings for the case of State vs. Ashbaugh continued on July 16, 2025, in the 187th District Court, presided over by Judge Stephanie Boyd. The day’s agenda focused on witness testimonies and the examination of evidence related to the case.

The session began with a witness discussing their review of various materials, including a church video and statements from Officer Jaime, who had previously worked at Cornerstone Church. The witness confirmed their familiarity with Officer Jaime, stating they had supervised him at one point. This line of questioning led to an objection regarding the relevance of the witness's relationship with the officer, which the court ultimately overruled.

The witness detailed their investigation, which included reviewing dash cam footage, photographs, and other reports associated with the case. They explained that they staged vehicles in a church parking lot during daylight to provide a clearer view of the scene, despite acknowledging that the incident occurred at 2 AM. The witness admitted that their staging was based on estimates from the available footage and images, leading to further questioning about the accuracy of their placements.

Defense counsel pressed the witness on the reliability of their estimations, highlighting that they were not a trained crime scene recreator. The witness confirmed this, stating they relied on the SAPD's sketch of shell casings and other evidence to approximate vehicle positions.

As the examination continued, the witness was asked about the conditions during their investigation, particularly regarding lighting. They noted that the church's lights were off during a nighttime video they took, which differed from the conditions at the time of the incident. The witness described O'Connor Road as very dark, with limited lighting, which could impact visibility.

After the witness's testimony, the defense rested its case. The state indicated it had no rebuttal, and both sides prepared for closing arguments scheduled for the following day at 9 AM. The jury was reminded that the same jurors would continue in the deliberation process.

This session marked a significant step in the trial, as both sides prepared to summarize their arguments and present their final cases to the jury.