San Diego

The partner of slain San Diego Police Officer Jerry Hartless testified Tuesday that Hartless began chasing a black male wearing green clothing before Hartless was shot.

But Officer Johan Schneider could not identify Stacy Butler, the alleged gunman, in court as the man Hartless was pursing Jan. 9.

Other witnesses have said that Butler, 25, a gang member, was wearing a green-and-white shirt and was soaked with sweat and appeared tired moments after the shooting.

Schneider, a 3 1/2-year police veteran, said four or five men scattered when they saw the police car in Southeast San Diego and Hartless chased one of them.

Schneider said he began chasing one of them, but Hartless yelled three times, “I got him!” so Schneider went back to his patrol car and turned off the engine. He said someone could have removed a shotgun from the car had it still been running.

Minutes later, Schneider said, he heard a single gunshot. He said he got into his car, radioed his location and drove to the 5000 block of Manomet Street.

“I saw Officer Hartless face down on the ground on the south side of the street,” Schneider said, adding that he rolled Hartless over and saw he had been shot in the forehead.

Schneider then radioed for help. He said he moved his patrol car to one side of Hartless, thinking the gunman might still be in the area.

The partner testified that Hartless’ gun was still in its holster but that the strap holding it was unfastened.

He said he could not recall many details of the man Hartless was chasing.

“I wasn’t able to see clearly. I cannot say positively he is that person.”

Hartless, 24, died three weeks later without regaining consciousness.