Second Verdict Upholds Officer’s Actions

Mesa News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 27, 2026 · 1m

A federal jury has once again acquitted Phoenix police officer Jason Gillespie in the 2014 arrest of Martha Winkler, who suffered skull fractures during the takedown — a case that’s already gone through two trials. The second verdict, after closing arguments, reaffirms that the force used was reasonable under the circumstances, despite Winkler’s legal team arguing the officer acted too hastily and failed to de-escalate. The case, sparked by a lottery ticket dispute, underscores the ongoing debate over police accountability and the challenges of judging force in real-time arrest scenarios…