During the aggravated‑assault/shooting trial involving Johnny De La Rosa and Nadia Newton on Nov. 19, Detective Noah Ballard of the San Antonio Police Department testified that video evidence led him to conclude Newton acted in self‑defense and that De La Rosa’s response was not justified.

Ballard, assigned to an aggravated‑assault detail, said he reviewed surveillance from a car wash and a video obtained from De La Rosa’s cell phone. After viewing both pieces of video evidence, he told the court he believed Newton was retreating and that De La Rosa’s vehicle conduct — described as an aggressive approach that nearly struck Newton and then followed and pushed her toward traffic — materially increased the risk of death or serious bodily harm. Ballard testified that, in his view, the totality of those actions supported Newton’s claim of self‑defense and led investigators to drop charges against her while pursuing charges against De La Rosa.

On cross‑examination, defense counsel challenged Ballard’s characterization of Newton’s movement as an attempt to escape — noting she briefly ran toward De La Rosa’s vehicle to record a license plate — and questioned whether De La Rosa displayed a firearm before he was stabbed. Ballard acknowledged limitations in phrasing and in his report (he did not use the exact phrase "line of escape" in his written report), but he reiterated his assessment that pushing someone toward fast‑moving traffic can constitute creation of a deadly situation that could justify a self‑defense response.

The court admitted the cell‑phone and surveillance videos into evidence. The state rested its case after calling Ballard and other witnesses; Judge Stephanie Boyd instructed jurors on courtroom rules, sequestration and logistics and scheduled the jury to return the next morning at 9:30 a.m. for closing and deliberations.

The transcript shows the investigative conclusion (Ballard's testimony) was presented as the state’s interpretation of video evidence; defense counsel repeatedly objected to narrative or argumentative testimony and emphasized that the jury must determine whether Newton’s actions were reasonable and justified. Ballard testified that he submitted his report and ultimately forwarded the case to the district attorney’s office, recommending that charges against Newton be dropped and charges be filed against De La Rosa.