NRI Pulse Staff Report
Atlanta, GA, September 11: The court has declared a mistrial in the federal trial for Madison police officer Eric Parker who is accused of assaulting Sureshbhai Patel. The jury told Judge Madeline H. Haikala on Friday afternoon that they have once again reviewed everything, but no juror has changed his or her opinion since Thursday morning. They could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Parker was seen hugging his friends and family, thanking some for showing support, immediately after the court declaration, according to the courtroom blog of whnt.com.
Whnt.com quoted Department of Justice attorney Robert Posey as saying his team will “huddle up” and retry the case. Posey said it will happen within 70 days, barring any continuances filed by the defense.
The jury reached a stalemate yesterday, but were asked by Judge Haikala to go home and think about the case and evidence. Deliberations continued all day today.
Parker had responded on a report of a suspicious person. During the trial, the jury heard a recording of the dispatcher’s call to police about a “black male” looking into garages there.
Police dash cam video captured Parker slamming Patel to the ground, and jurors had earlier watched those videos in court.
Read earlier reports:
