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Alabama police officer on trial for beating Indian man during encounter Alabama police officer on trial for beating Indian man during encounter
(34 minutes later)
An Alabama police officer went on trial Tuesday on a federal charge of using excessive force against an Indian man who was thrown down and partially paralyzed during a confrontation in a suburban neighborhood.An Alabama police officer went on trial Tuesday on a federal charge of using excessive force against an Indian man who was thrown down and partially paralyzed during a confrontation in a suburban neighborhood.
Madison police officer Eric Sloan Parker, 26 is charged with violating the civil rights of 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel, who was staying with his son near Huntsville in February and was walking in the neighborhood when police received a call about a suspicious person walking in the area. Madison police officer Eric Sloan Parker, 26, is charged with violating the civil rights of 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel, who was staying with his son near Huntsville in February and was walking in the neighborhood when police received a call about a suspicious person walking in the area.
Related: 'It was devastating': A family struggles to recover from brutal Alabama beatingRelated: 'It was devastating': A family struggles to recover from brutal Alabama beating
Court officials said prospective jurors would fill out questionnaires with personal information before lawyers had a chance to question them in court and select a jury for Parker’s trial. Jury selection could last all day.Court officials said prospective jurors would fill out questionnaires with personal information before lawyers had a chance to question them in court and select a jury for Parker’s trial. Jury selection could last all day.
Police video showed an officer struggling to communicate with the man because of language differences. After a few moments, an officer slammed Patel to the ground face-first as another officer stood by.Police video showed an officer struggling to communicate with the man because of language differences. After a few moments, an officer slammed Patel to the ground face-first as another officer stood by.
“He don’t speak a lick of English,” one of the officers said afterward.“He don’t speak a lick of English,” one of the officers said afterward.
Patel arrived for court early on Tuesday, steadying himself on a walker as he slowly moved down the sidewalk outside the federal courthouse in Huntsville. Patel is expected to testify through a translator but will need the walker to get to the stand, said his lawyer, Hank Sherrod.Patel arrived for court early on Tuesday, steadying himself on a walker as he slowly moved down the sidewalk outside the federal courthouse in Huntsville. Patel is expected to testify through a translator but will need the walker to get to the stand, said his lawyer, Hank Sherrod.
“He’s not fully recovered and isn’t expected to fully recover,” said Sherrod. “His improvement is very, very slow right now.”“He’s not fully recovered and isn’t expected to fully recover,” said Sherrod. “His improvement is very, very slow right now.”
Parker is free on bond. Court documents indicate the defense will present testimony to show Parker’s actions were justified and that he didn’t mean to harm Patel.Parker is free on bond. Court documents indicate the defense will present testimony to show Parker’s actions were justified and that he didn’t mean to harm Patel.
Parker, dressed in civilian clothes rather than a police uniform, also was in court accompanied by his attorney.Parker, dressed in civilian clothes rather than a police uniform, also was in court accompanied by his attorney.
Court documents show Madison police chief Larry Muncey is expected to testify for prosecutors that Parker’s actions violated department procedures.Court documents show Madison police chief Larry Muncey is expected to testify for prosecutors that Parker’s actions violated department procedures.
Muncey publicly apologized to Patel after the incident and Alabama governor Robert Bentley called Patel’s treatment a case of “excessive force” in an apologetic letter to the Indian government.Muncey publicly apologized to Patel after the incident and Alabama governor Robert Bentley called Patel’s treatment a case of “excessive force” in an apologetic letter to the Indian government.
Related: India 'extremely disturbed' after Alabama officer throws grandfather to groundRelated: India 'extremely disturbed' after Alabama officer throws grandfather to ground
Parker is being fired by the city of Madison, but he appealed and the termination process is on hold until criminal charges are resolved.Parker is being fired by the city of Madison, but he appealed and the termination process is on hold until criminal charges are resolved.
Parker also faces a state assault charge, and Patel filed a federal lawsuit seeking an unspecified amount of money for his injuries.Parker also faces a state assault charge, and Patel filed a federal lawsuit seeking an unspecified amount of money for his injuries.
Patel has been joined in Alabama by his wife and now lives with his son while undergoing physical rehabilitation, Sherrod said.Patel has been joined in Alabama by his wife and now lives with his son while undergoing physical rehabilitation, Sherrod said.