A former US police officer, accused of using excessive force against a 57-year-old Indian grandfather leaving him partially paralysed, today pleaded not guilty to charges of civil rights abuse.
Eric Parker, 26, appeared before US Magistrate Harwell Davis along with his attorney Robert Tuten. Tuten told the court Parker was pleading not guilty to the charge.
Parker was charged by the FBI last month with felony civil rights abuse for slamming Sureshbhai Patel to the ground - an incident caught on another officer's dashboard camera. That charge carries up to 10 years in prison.
After today's hearing, Davis ordered a USD 5,000 bond for Parker, who was quickly processed and left the federal courthouse in Huntsville without addressing the media gathered outside, Alabama Local reported.
Parker is facing a federal charge of "deprivation of rights under color of law," which US Attorney Joyce White Vance said includes the right to be free from "unreasonable force."
Parker also faces state assault charges. Hearing for this case is scheduled for May 13.
Parker's February 6 daytime encounter with Patel on a residential street in Madison drew international headlines and an apology from Governor Robert Bentley.
Patel is still recovering from injuries.
