Indian grandfather case: Police chief urged Alabama to drop training after karate expert testified

By Challen Stephens | cstephens@al.com
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on November 21, 2015 at 9:00 AM, updated November 21, 2015 at 9:33 AM

As the feds prepare to retry Madison police officer Eric Parker, new documents shed light on the closed-door inquiry into whether senior officers pressured witnesses who supported Parker.

Specifically, Madison Police Chief Larry Muncey challenged Alabama's use of a training program designed by one of the defense witnesses.

Muncey sent the email to state officials on the same day karate expert Johnny Lee Smith took the stand. Muncey wrote that he must "question whether he and his program are the best options for state's self-defense training."

During the first trial of Parker for the leg sweep of an Indian citizen, more than ten police officers from Madison testified. Some said the takedown was unwarranted, that 57-year-old Sureshbhai Patel was not a threat to Parker. Other officers said that the takedown was consistent with policy.

On Sept. 8, in the middle of that first trial, the court held a day-long hearing behind closed doors. The jury was not present. Numerous Madison police officers were summoned to the courthouse for the private hearing.

That hearing remains sealed. But the transcript of a follow-up conference call on Sept. 21 offers a look at the involvement of Chief Muncey.
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more: http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/11/indian_grandfather_case_police.html#incart_story_package




Long article at the link. Seems to be a lot going on out of sight of the press and public.