Day One Recap — Kelsey Fitzsimmons Bench Trial

Opening positions from both sides

Prosecutor James Gubitose told Judge Jeffrey T. Karp that this case is about a trained police officer intentionally pointing a handgun at another officer during service of a restraining order.

The Commonwealth argued that Kelsey Fitzsimmons pulled the trigger, the gun clicked, and then manipulated the firearm in a way that made officers believe deadly force was immediately necessary.

Defense attorney Timothy Bradl argued the evidence will show Kelsey was in a severe postpartum mental-health collapse after being told she was losing immediate control of her child, firearms, and career.

Defense framed the case as a suicide crisis, not an assault, arguing her actions came from emotional collapse rather than intent to harm police.

1) Sean Daly

Daly described the initial contact when officers arrived to serve the restraining order.

He testified that he stayed focused on the baby and helping secure the child during the early part of the encounter.

He did not witness the shooting itself.

He told the court he heard the shots and then moved into response after gunfire.

2) Courtney Aylaian

Courtney testified she was outside the house holding the baby when shots were fired.

She said she feared Justin Aylaian had been shot.

She described running through a nearby school parking lot and hiding behind trees until he came out safely.

3) Justin Aylaian

Justin testified about why he sought the restraining order.

He described fear for:

himself,

the baby,

and the instability in the home before June 30.

His testimony established why officers were at the home that morning.

4) Patrick Noonan

Noonan gave the most important testimony of the day.

He testified Kelsey became visibly upset upstairs.

He described her shaking before moving behind a doorway.

He told the court she came back holding a handgun.

He testified:

she pointed it directly at him,

the gun clicked,

and he believed he was about to be shot after she manipulated the firearm.

Day One overall

Commonwealth built day one around:

officer threat,

gun mechanics,

split-second intent.

Defense used cross-examination to begin reinforcing:

postpartum collapse,

custody shock,

suicide theory.

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Day One - 3.23.2026 - Kelsey Fitzsimmons Trial