OSHKOSH WI (WTAQ)- Brian Flatoff is defending himself in his Winnebago County trial.
Flatoff is facing 16 charges, including Felony Murder and Attempted Homicide in a 2015 hostage situation that resulted in police shooting hostage Michael Funk at a Neenah Motorcycle shop.
Flatoff told the jury that he did not remember the events of the day, but says he plans to show audio and video recordings which will show what really happened.
“All the video evidence, multiple different ways, for hours after the assassination shows you bragging and bravado. It tells you officers did not see a gun. They did not process a weapon,” Flatoff told the jury.
Flatoff also told the jury that he plans to testify in his trial.
In opening arguments Deputy District Attorney Scott Ceman told the jury that he will show that Flatoff had bad intentions when he arrived at Eagle Nation Cycles in Neenah.
“I will prove to you beyond reasonable doubt with the witness testimony from the people who were there, who survived this. But you’ll also essentially be taken there and you will see and hear just about everything I told you went down that day,” Cemen said.
Monday began with jury selection as ten men and four women were selected.
The first witness, Eva Kranski took the stand, and testified that she used to be in a romantic relationship with Flatoff, and said the night before the standoff, Flatoff told her he was going to Eagle Nation Cycles to talk with a man. She said the next day, she noticed an empty gun case on the table.
“I quickly got dressed, got my keys, I was on my way out, I saw an open gun case on the table.”
Flatoff’s acquaintance, Gerald Ehlke testified that Flatoff threatened to kill Vance Dalton over the bike deal.
Dalton took the stand and testified that he bailed Flatoff out of jail after an OWI arrest, and that he gave $3,000 dollars to Flatoff in exchange for his bike.
He also testified that Flatoff threatened him.
“He said ‘if I don’t get my bike back, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill your wife and kids to get through you’,” Dalton told jurors.
Flatoff will be able to cross examine Dalton to begin the day Tuesday.
