The Latest: Federal judge throws out excessive force case

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The latest in the case of an Alabama police officer accused of using excessive force against an Indian man during a suspicious person investigation (all times local):

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9:45 p.m.

A federal judge has thrown out a civil rights case against an Alabama police officer accused of using excessive force on an Indian man.

U.S. District Judge Madeline Haikala on Wednesday granted a motion to acquit Madison police officer Eric Parker after two previous trials ended in hung juries.

Parker slammed 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel (suh-REHSH’-by pah-TEL’) down face first during a suspicious person investigation in February. The incident was recorded on cameras inside patrol vehicles, and Patel was injured.

Parker has testified that Patel tried to pull away from him, indicating he may have been up to no good.

Patel has said through an interpreter that he doesn’t speak English and couldn’t understand officers’ orders.

Parker’s attorney, Robert Tuten, has called the incident an unfortunate escalation of police tactics.

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10:30 a.m.

Federal prosecutors in the case of an Alabama police officer accused of using excessive force on an Indian man are looking to block the officer’s colleagues from testifying if a retrial is held.

Prosecutors filed a motion Tuesday to exclude testimony from Madison police officers who don’t have firsthand knowledge of the February encounter between officer Eric Parker and 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel (suh-REHSH’-by pah-TEL’).

Parker was recorded on video slamming Patel to the ground during a suspicious person investigation. Parker has said Patel resisted and pulled away during a pat down.

Patel has said through an interpreter that he doesn’t speak English and didn’t resist.

Parker’s two previous trials ended in hung juries. Judge Madeline Haikala has yet to rule on a motion for acquittal filed by Parker’s attorney.