Washington:An Alabama police officer who assaulted an unarmed Indian grandfather while he was taking a morning walk in front of his son’s house in a Madison suburb has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Eric Parker, the Madison police officer who slammed Sureshbhai Patel, 57, to the ground in the Feb 6 incident leaving him partially paralysed, was Friday charged with a civil rights violation that carries up to 10 years in prison.
A federal grand jury indicted Parker for “deprivation of rights under colour of law” that includes the constitutional right to be free from “unreasonable force,” according to US Attorney Joyce White Vance.
“Police officers are sworn to uphold the law and protect the public,” said Vance in a prepared statement. “The public must be able trust the police.”
“Mr. Patel and his family are very pleased by the prompt and decisive action of US Attorney Joyce Vance and the federal grand jury,” Patel’s attorney Hank Sherrod wrote in an email.
The Feb 6 incident occurred when Parker and another officer arrived at the scene in response to a call around 8 a.m. about a suspicious person walking on Hardiman Place Lane.
His son, Chirag Patel, an engineer for a government contractor, said his father, who had received permanent resident status liked to take a walk in the morning.
Video from a dashboard camera shows Parker and another officer confront Patel.At one point, Parker slams the 57-year-old Patel to the ground.
Madison police later called paramedics. Patel was left partly paralysed.
He was transferred from Madison Hospital to Huntsville Hospital where he underwent spinal surgery.
Patel has been in the care of Healthsouth Rehabilitation Center in Huntsville.
Sherrod Friday said Patel “has made tremendous progress in his recovery.”
“Recently, Mr. Patel was able to walk a short distance on his own using a walker, an important milestone in his recovery,” said Sherrod.
“In the near future, Mr. Patel expects to be released to the home of his son, Chirag, where he will continue his therapy. ”
Sherrod has also filed a federal suit against Parker and against the City of Madison. The civil suit is on hold pending the resolution of the criminal charges.(IANS)
