The man on trial in a high profile patient abuse case took to the stand in his own defense.
Former Whiting Forensic Division Nurse Mark Cusson spent the whole day testifying.
His defense team is trying to show that while surveillance video of his alleged abuse showed one thing, what really happened is a whole different matter.
Cusson began his defense telling the jury how challenging and dangerous a patient Bill Shehadi can be.
"I’ve seen bill throw a nurse to the ground and break her hip, scratches, biting, kicking”, Cusson said.
Defense attorney Kevin Smith had Cusson go through hours of video, explaining what may seem like criminally abusive behavior was his unconventional way of handling Shehadi, whom he has worked with well over a decade.
Cusson said what looked like him confronting Shehadi was actually swaddling like you'd do with a baby.
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He added another video that seems to show his buttocks in Shehadi's face was him picking paper off the floor to keep it away from Shehadi, who would obsessively take paper and plug toilets at Whiting.
Video of Cusson that appears to show him putting a mop on Shehadi's head was never directly addressed. Cusson did say he used a mop to clean urine off Shehadi's mattress.
Cusson wrapped up by saying in spite of losing his job and facing time locked up, he still likes Shehadi, and misses him.
"I spend more time with him than my family, Cusson said, tearing up.
