YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a Spokane police officer abused the power entrusted to him by carrying out a brutal and defenseless attack on a citizen.
U.S. Department of Justice trial attorney Victor Boutros told jurors in closing arguments Monday that that they get to show Officer Karl Thompson no one is above the law, including police officers.
Thompson is accused of using excessive force in the 2006 death of Otto Zehm, a 36-year-old schizophrenic man.
Thompson has pleaded not guilty to violating Zehm’s civil rights and lying to investigators about the encounter in a convenience store.
Defense attorneys are expected to deliver their closing arguments after a one-hour lunch break Monday.
