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Defense presenting case in trial of Alabama police officer

Former Madison, Ala. police officer Eric Sloan Parker walks into a federal courthouse, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, in Huntsville, Ala. Parker is on trial on a federal charge of using excessive force against an Indian man, 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel, who was thrown down and partially paralyzed during a confrontation in a suburban neighborhood. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) Former Madison, Ala. police officer Eric Sloan Parker walks into a federal courthouse, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, in Huntsville, Ala. Parker is on trial on a federal charge of using excessive force against an Indian man, 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel, who was thrown down and partially paralyzed during a confrontation in a suburban neighborhood. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

By Associated Press September 4, 2015 1 min read

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) – Witnesses are set to testify on behalf of an Alabama police officer who was recorded slamming an Indian grandfather to the ground.

The trial of Madison police officer Eric Parker continues Friday morning in Huntsville.

Parker slammed 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel (suh-REHSH’-by pah-TEL’) to the ground in February, saying he defied orders and reached for his pockets.

Patel said through an interpreter that he doesn’t understand English, didn’t understand the officer’s orders and never reached for his pockets.

Prosecutors called their final witnesses Thursday and Parker’s defense attorney Robert Tuten has said he plans on having Parker take the stand.

Two Madison police officials have said they considered Patel’s takedown unnecessary and he wasn’t a threat. Tuten has said the stop and takedown were appropriate considering the circumstances.