Attorneys questioned potential jurors Tuesday for the retrial of an Alabama police officer accused of badly injuring an Indian man during an encounter earlier this year. The decision came after jurors deadlocked while deliberating whether the Madison police officer violated the civil rights of 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel.
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As the retrial of Parker began in Alabama, Assistant US Attorney Robert Posey told the jury that the grand father told the police officer “no English” five times.
Parker testified that Patel resisted before he knocked him down, causing partial paralysis and other injuries.
Former Madison, Ala., police officer Eric Sloan Parker walks out of the federal courthouse, Wednesday, September 9, 2015, in Huntsville, Ala. He said visitors to the United States are expected to know how to speak English.
Tuten said Patel reached for his pockets, which could have contained a weapon.
While a new jury with 11 women, including four black women, and three men has been selected, the prosecution is not arguing against racism. During the trial, Posey alleged that Parker threatened Patel.
Tuten alleged that Patel not taking his hand out of his pocket was risky for Parker.
Tuten said it’s unfortunate that the two couldn’t understand each other.
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Patel, who had visited his son off and on and had spent about eight months in the U.S. before the February 6 takedown recognised the police, but walked off anyway, he said.
