In downtown Dallas, a courtroom was left shocked as a newly released video of the fatal April 5 shooting played during Kendrick Finch’s bond reduction hearing. The chilling footage showed the moment Ashlee Long lost her life, and William Kistler was injured in the tragic incident. Long’s family, donning matching shirts with her name and a heartfelt message, braced themselves as they watched the harrowing video unfold before them for the first time.
As the video began, Detective Ronald Kramer narrated a tense confrontation between Kistler and another individual across the street. Long was seen trying to pull Kistler away, leading them to cross the street together. The situation escalated when Kistler made contact with a passing white Mercedes, prompting him to reach into Long’s purse. Defense attorney Josh Healy raised questions about Kistler’s actions before Finch emerged from the car, suggesting a different narrative of events. However, Detective Kramer’s account painted Finch as the aggressor, stepping out of the vehicle with a gun in hand, setting off a chain of events that ended in tragedy.
Despite Finch’s claims of self-defense, Detective Kramer’s testimony pointed to a different conclusion, highlighting the sequence of events that unfolded on that fateful day. The video evidence and still images presented by the prosecution aimed to establish Finch’s role as the instigator in the altercation. Finch’s decision to contact the authorities the day after the shooting did little to sway the judge’s decision, as the request for a bond reduction was ultimately denied. Finch was able to post bail and secure his release from jail, while Kistler found himself facing charges for unlawful possession of a firearm among other unrelated offenses. In a case filled with twists and turns, the courtroom was left grappling with the complexities of the tragic event that had unfolded on that fateful day.
