FORT WORTH, Texas -
Jailhouse video of a violent outburst was played in court Thursday during the punishment phase of the trial for a man convicted of killing an Arlington pastor.
The jury listened to jailers describe their violent encounters with Steven Nelson.
For example, Tarrant County sheriff's detention officers had to respond in full riot gear after they said he barricaded himself in a shower.
The jury watched roughly 45 minutes of video where the officers tried to calm him down, subdue him and escort him from one area to another.
"About 70 percent of my manpower was dealing with Nelson," said Sgt. Kenneth Chambliss, a confinement supervisor. "They were pretty busy. We had a lot going on that night. We actually had to call some backup from the corrections center."
The video eventually showed him being carted off in a full body restraint chair.
Defense attorneys argued it was clear Nelson was off his medication for mental disorders.
He was convicted earlier this week of suffocating Arlington Pastor Clint Dobson. Secretary Judy Elliott was also beaten, but survived.
The jury will decide if Nelson should receive the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
