Published September 09, 2015
The Alabama police officer accused of using excessive force against an Indian grandfather who testified he didn't understand commands given in English says the man reached in his pockets and defied his orders.
Madison police officer Eric Parker took the stand in his own defense Wednesday in his federal trial.
Parker says he and 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel (suh-REHSH'-by pah-TEL') both slipped as he tried to take him to the ground. Patel was partially paralyzed after the fall.
Parker is testifying in the second week of his trial. Much of the testimony has surrounded how Parker swept Patel's legs in an unusual technique.
Patel denied resisting officers. He testified through an interpreter that he doesn't speak English and was walking through his son's neighborhood when Parker stopped him on Feb. 6.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/alabama-officer-on-trial-testifies-he-felt-threatened-before-tackling-grandfather-from-india