Federal Court Probing Police Chief in Excessive Force Case

The federal judge in the trial of an Alabama police officer who was acquitted of using excessive force on an Indian man says the court is probing whether the police chief and a captain violated an order against contacting witnesses.

Judge Madeline Haikala said in an opinion Friday that several Madison police officers who testified for officer  said Police Chief Larry Muncey, who was ordered not hear other witness testimony, read live updates of the trial and approached officers to discuss their testimonies.

A sergeant also told Haikala that he sent updates from the courtroom to Muncey and Capt. Terrell Cook. Haikala says the court will investigate whether the sequestration order was violated, and will delay deciding on a request for a criminal investigation of witness tampering.

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