Things are moving quickly in the retrial of an Alabama police officer accused of roughing up a grandfather from India and violating his civil rights.
Al.com reports the prosecution rested its case Thursday after a day and a half of testimony. Police witnesses contend Eric Parker had no reason to take down the 58-year old man. They say Sureshbhai Patel, who doctors described as being left traumatized and in need of spinal injury, did not offer any resistance or make any threats.
At the center of attention is the leg sweep by Parker that sent Patel into the concrete.
The defense didn’t waste any time trying to destroy those assertions. Defense attorneys say Patel pulled his hands away and that Parker believed he could have been reaching for a weapon.
“We do coach them and we do try to get them to really pay attention to people’s hands,” said police academy instructor Matt McCullars.
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The previous trial just two months ago ended in a deadlock with jurors voting 10 – 2 in favor of acquittal.
You can read more about the testimony in both sides of the case in Al.com.