Washington: After two days of deliberation, a US federal Jury has sought another day to debate the case against an Alabama police officer charged with slamming an Indian grandfather to the ground and leaving him severely injured in February last year.
The jury told US District Judge Madeline Hughes Haikala in federal courthouse in Huntsville on Tuesday afternoon that they could not reach consensus in the case against Madison Police Officer Eric Parker, 27, for assaulting 57-year-old Sureshbhai Patel, according to Al.com.
The jury asked the judge for permission to go home early and come back tomorrow. Earlier, the jury sent a note to Haikala: "We have voted a couple of times and haven't come up with a unanimous decision. What do we do next?"
At that point, Haikala said there was no reason to believe the federal government could select a more confident or more conscientious jury for a new trial.
She told the jury of expense of the trial and of the emotional strain. She urged the jury to continue deliberations and end the matter, if possible.
Parker, 27, is charged with deprivation of rights under colour of law for the takedown that left Mr Patel in need of spinal surgery.
The first jury in September deadlocked 10-2 in favour of acquittal, leading to the retrial. If convicted, Parker faces up to 10 years in prison.
Mr Patel who does not speak English, was walking in front of his son's home on the morning of Feb 6 when a neighbour called police to report a suspicious person.
Parker and another officer stopped Mr Patel. Parker says Mr Patel did not comply with police orders, that he pulled away during a frisk and that he feared Patel could be armed. Parker testified he lost his balance during the takedown.
Mr Patel said he did not understand officers, did not resist and did not pull away.
The jury told US District Judge Madeline Hughes Haikala in federal courthouse in Huntsville on Tuesday afternoon that they could not reach consensus in the case against Madison Police Officer Eric Parker, 27, for assaulting 57-year-old Sureshbhai Patel, according to Al.com.
The jury asked the judge for permission to go home early and come back tomorrow. Earlier, the jury sent a note to Haikala: "We have voted a couple of times and haven't come up with a unanimous decision. What do we do next?"
She told the jury of expense of the trial and of the emotional strain. She urged the jury to continue deliberations and end the matter, if possible.
Advertisement
The first jury in September deadlocked 10-2 in favour of acquittal, leading to the retrial. If convicted, Parker faces up to 10 years in prison.
Advertisement
Parker and another officer stopped Mr Patel. Parker says Mr Patel did not comply with police orders, that he pulled away during a frisk and that he feared Patel could be armed. Parker testified he lost his balance during the takedown.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
US Court Declares Frozen Embryos As "Children". What It Means US Radio Station On Standby As Thieves Steal 200-Foot Tower Sports Commentator Wrongly Accused Of Making Racist Comments Gets $25 Million In Damages "Relocate To Vizag": Andhra Minister To IT Firms Amid Karnataka Quota Row UP BJP Rejig Soon? State Chief Offers To Quit Over Poll Drubbing: Sources "I Divorce You... Your Ex-Wife": Dubai Princess Dumps Husband In Insta Post "Animal Cruelty": Abu Dhabi's First Owl Cafe Goes Viral, Internet Angry Madras High Court's Big Rebuke To Probe Agency In Illegal Sand Mining Row 12 Maoists Killed In 6-Hour Encounter In Maharashtra's Gadchiroli Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.