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Madison Officer's Civil Rights Trial Begins, Hartselle Mayor Resigns

Eric Parker confrontation
Madison Police Department
Police dash camera captures Eric Parker tackling Sureshbhai Patel

A former Madison police officer stands trial today on a federal charge of using excessive force against an Indian man who was partially paralyzed during a confrontation.

Eric Sloan Parker is accused of violating the civil rights of 57-year-old Sureshbhai Patel in February when he threw the man to the ground during a police stop.

Patel was visiting from India and staying with his son in Madison. He was walking around the neighborhood when police received a call about a suspicious person in the area. Police video shows an officer talking with the man before slamming him to the ground. Patel is still recovering from injuries.

Parker says he's innocent and court records indicate the defense will present testimony to show Parker's actions were justified.

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has apologized to the Indian government for Patel's treatment. Parker was quickly removed from the Madison police force.

A judge has ordered that Governor Bentley's divorce case be sealed from public view. APR’s Stan Ingold has more.

Tuscaloosa Circuit Judge Elizabeth Hamner issued the order yesterday after the couple's attorneys jointly requested that the records be kept private.

Lawyers told the judge that it would be in the best interest of both parties to keep the divorce records private. The request noted the governor's position as a prominent public office holder.

Dianne Bentley filed for divorce on Friday, saying the couple's 50-year marriage had suffered an irretrievable breakdown. The divorce filing says the couple separated in January.

Court records show that the governor is represented in the divorce by Birmingham attorney Lisa Lynn Woods.

Preparation is underway for Wisconsin as the University of Alabama football team opens its season this Saturday.

The Crimson Tide will square off with the Badgers in the Advocare Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Coach Nick Saban says now is the time to establish an identity of being a dangerous team…

“How is this team going to develop an identity of being the kind of relentless, competitive and dangerous team that we’ve had in the past that can sustain and focus on that and not get distracted by anything else through the course of the season? Regardless of what happens.”

Saban did not name a starting quarterback yet for Saturday’s game, but he did talk about three potential starters. They are Jake Coker, Alec Morris and Cooper Bateman.

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 7 PM. Auburn plays Louisville in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in Atlanta Saturday at 3:30 PM.

The mayor of Hartselle is resigning after city officials scheduled a meeting to discuss whether he had used the adultery website Ashley Madison.

Interim Mayor Bill Smelser will officially take over when current Mayor Don Hall steps down, effective December 1.

Local news outlets report that Hall resigned one day after city officials scheduled a meeting to consider what actions they could take after his name appeared on a list linked to Ashley Madison. Hall denies using the website and says he doesn't know how his name got on the list. Hall says he performed all his duties as mayor. He says he is stepping down because he believes it's best for the city.

Interim Mayor Smelser said city officials and Hall had previously struggled with communication issues.

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