SPOKANE, Wash. — Former Spokane County sheriff’s sergeant Clay Hilton, charged with assaulting a man he arrested three years ago, testified Monday. He claims he acted in self-defense and followed tactics taught by the Basic Law Enforcement Academy, or BLEA.
It’s the fifth day of Hilton’s criminal trial in connection with a violent interaction with 62-year-old Kevin Hinton in August 2023.
Hilton said it was his routine to stop by Terrace View Park after his shift ended. On the night of the incident, he recalled seeing a suspicious vehicle with dark tinted windows parked after hours. He testified it was safer to exit his vehicle and approach Hinton rather than wait inside his car to run the plates — noting he personally knows officers who have been shot while sitting in their vehicles.
“If you’re caught within your vehicle, the odds of you being able to defend yourself are extremely low,” Hilton said.
As Hilton rewatched his body camera footage from that night in court, he pointed out that he called for backup twice — once while Hinton was still inside the vehicle and again after Hinton was on the ground.
“I would have expected to hear sirens when I asked for the units to step it up,” Hilton said.
Hilton said that before he placed his hands on Hinton, he observed several indicators that he believed signaled a threat. One of them, was that he could smell marijuana when he got out of his police car.
“The minute I exited my vehicle, I smell a strong odor — or marijuana coming from his vehicle,” Hilton said.
Hilton noted he is trained as a drug recognition expert and can easily detect when a driver is impaired. He also testified that he spotted a knife inside Hinton’s car while Hinton was still seated in the vehicle. He said his training directed him not to alert a suspect when he sees a weapon, which is why he asked Hinton to step out of the car.
“He came out of the vehicle so quickly, it caught me off guard, and he stepped toward me. And that’s why I put my hand up to stop him from coming forward further,” Hilton said.
Hilton confirmed during questioning about use of force that he did knee Hinton in the ribs. He said he did so because Hinton was resisting. During his attorney’s examination, he said the knee strikes are approved defensive tactics taught by the BLEA and referred to the chapter in a physical copy of the handbook that was given to him on the witness stand.
“When you refuse to identify yourself — and you’re mandated by state law to produce at least your name and date of birth — you’re hindering or delaying the officer from doing their lawful duties,” Hilton said.
Hilton finished his testimony Monday afternoon. The trial is set to resume Tuesday.
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