Videos from the dash and body camera worn by a former South Whitehall police officer provided the evidence needed to send a shooting death case to court.

A Lehigh County judge ruled Thursday in the case of former South Whitehall Township police officer Jonathan Roselle.

Roselle, of Parryville, is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting of Joseph Santos, 44, of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, on July 28, on Hamilton Boulevard between the Comfort Suites hotel and Dorney Park. Roselle had a preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge Daniel Trexler on Thursday.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey S. Dimmig presented video and audio captured by dash cameras and the body camera worn by Roselle showing the moments leading to and several minutes after the shooting.

On the videos, a woman was telling Roselle that a man had confronted her while she was in her car and had broken a window. Roselle’s defense attorney, Gavin Holihan, later described the woman as being “hysterical.”

Video projected onto a large screen showed Roselle turn his car around on Hamilton Boulevard and drive to an area between the Comfort Suites sign and Dorney Park where he encountered Santos. Santos approached Roselle’s marked patrol car and could be seen touching an area near the front driver’s door. Roselle, while still in the car, shouted for Santos, “Get away from the vehicle right now!”

Santos gestured toward Roselle with his hand and fingers. He pointed to his eyes with two fingers, then pointed his index finger toward Roselle, who was still seated in the patrol car.

Defense attorney Gavin Holihan later characterized the gesture as “threatening.”

Santos then walked toward the passenger side of the patrol car and looked in at Roselle. His expression seemed blank; his mouth was open. Roselle continued to shout commands to “get away” from the vehicle. Roselle’s pistol was in his hand and generally pointed at Santos.

It is not clear if Santos, who was described in court as Hispanic, could speak English.

An attorney representing Santos’ family declined to provide or confirm any information.

Santos climbed onto the hood of Roselle’s patrol car and looked into the car with his face close to the windshield. He hit the windshield with a sharp blow that seemed to crack the glass. Roselle ordered Santos to “Get off right now!” several times. His pistol was still in his hand.

Roselle got out of the car to confront Santos, but Santos had walked away several paces and was several yards behind the patrol car. He started walking toward the police officer. His empty hands were clearly visible in the sunlit street. It was around 5:40 p.m.

According to body camera video, Roselle ordered Santos to “Get on the ground!”

Santos was wearing a black or dark blue T-shirt with a white logo. He had on jeans and a dark belt with a buckle. He was wearing white socks, but no shoes. The fly to his trousers was unzipped. He kept walking toward Roselle.

Roselle, with pistol in hand, again ordered Santos to “Get on the ground!”

Just as Santos neared the patrol car’s left rear quarter panel, a burst of gunshots could be heard; Santos pitched forward, hitting the asphalt face first. Family members were crying softly. The sobbing woman held her head in her hands as another comforted her.

Detective James Bruchak testified that the autopsy performed by Forensic Pathology Associates showed that Santos had been shot twice in the head and three times in the torso. Tests showed various drugs in Santos’ system, including methadone, codeine and morphine.

The bodycam video showed another officer arrive on the scene and start giving CPR and, with help from Roselle, other aid to Santos.

Defense attorney Holihan summarized the mitigating circumstances that established the “reasonableness” of Roselle’s action.

In his opinion, Santos was attempting to commit a felony. He said Roselle knew that Santos had attacked another car; Santos had made a “threatening gesture,” Roselle had no backup present; Roselle was alone; Santos was advancing toward Roselle offering a “real threat” to the officer and other citizens.

Earlier this month, the South Whitehall Township decided not to keep Roselle, who was still a probationary officer, on the force following the expiration of his probation period. Roselle had just five months on the job at the time of the shooting.

No trial date is set at this time. Roselle could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.