The case has drawn international attention after video of the take down of Patel went viral.Alabama Governor Robert Bentley issued an apology to the government of India for the incident. In his apology, the governor described the actions taken by Parker as “excessive force.”

Patel, the Indian grandfather, was slammed down to the ground by an Alabama police officer while walking in his son’s neighbourhood in February. He was called to the stand at the trial of former police Officer Eric Parker, 26, began in a Huntsville, Alabama federal court in September. Parker is accused of using excessive force against an unarmed Mr Patel and charged with violating his civil rights.

Mr Patel told the jury he went for a walk around the neighbourhood every morning, but stayed on the same street as his son’s house and never went farther than ten or 11 houses away. He walked on the footpath next to the road and did not go to anybody’s house or into anyone’s yard on his walk. Mr Patel said on the morning of the incident, he stopped when he heard shouting from behind him. He recognized the uniforms the men wore as police uniforms. He added that he stopped when they shouted, but he could not understand them. He says he was only able to respond, “No English, no English.”

Mr Patel said when the officer put his hand on him, he did not attempt to jerk or pull away. Shortly after that, the officer “put him on the grass.” He said officers tried to lift him, but his hands and legs were numb. As a result of his injuries, he now has trouble walking and cannot care for his grandson, he told the jury. When the defence asked Patel why he did not carry identification or a card with his son’s contact information on it, he replied that he was simply going for a short-distance morning walk and that there was no need for identification.