HATTIESBURG -- Rick Gaston rested his case Wednesday in staunch denial of accusations that he knew the Harrison County jail booking officers under his supervision abused inmates.
The former sheriff's captain did not attempt to respond to the federal government's rebuttal, which used a video to contradict Gaston's testimony claiming he was unaware of the beating of inmate Only Al-Khidir. Gaston said he recently learned of the incident after a former jailer confessed to kicking the inmate in the face and another who witnessed the assault admitted changing his report, claiming Gaston told him to change it because his first report "wasn't false enough."
The video showed two people visiting the inmate's bedside after the assault. Special Agent Joel Wallace of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation identified the visitors as Gaston and former Capt. Steve Campbell, who ran the sheriff's professional standards unit. Al-Khidir is the inmate whose booking picture, shown at trial, showed a bloody, swollen face and hair askew.
Gaston maintained his composure as he left the federal courthouse Wednesday. He and co-defendant Ryan Teel, a former officer in charge of the booking room, return to court at 10 a.m. today for closing arguments. U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. will then turn the case over to the jury.
Gaston, 52, and Teel, 30, have maintained their innocence on a five-count indictment alleging they conspired with others, under color of law, to violate inmates' rights with intimidation and punishment through unnecessary, excessive force. Their indictments came after the beating death of inmate Jessie Lee Williams Jr. on Feb. 4, 2006, prompted a state investigation joined by the federal government.
Both defendants are accused on the conspiracy count. Teel, who testified Monday, is accused on three other counts that involve attempting to kill Williams, covering up the attempt with false reports and statements, and assaulting inmate Michelle "Chelle" Abrams with Gaston on Aug. 9, 2005.
Gaston also is charged with the Oct. 10, 2003, assault of inmate Timothy Oliver. Former Baldwin County, Ala., corrections officers who went to the Harrison County jail in Gulfport to extradite Oliver testified at trial that Gaston assaulted the inmate and they were prepared to break through the back jail gate to escape with their prisoner when someone finally opened the gate to let them leave.
"Timothy Oliver had AIDS," Gaston said emphatically Wednesday, testifying he and Oliver fought after Oliver spat on him. Gaston also said the incident with Abrams began after she spat on him. Others testified Oliver and Abrams have a history of resisting arrest and fighting officers.
E-Mail
Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@