TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) _ Jurors in the trial of a central Indiana sheriff's deputy charged with using excessive force resumed deliberations Friday after spending nearly 11 hours reviewing the case the day before.
Putnam County Deputy Terry Joe Smith faces federal charges of civil rights violations for his actions in four arrests.
Federal prosecutor Bradley Blackington told the jury during closing arguments Thursday that Smith was “a thug with a badge.''
The Tribune-Star and the Banner Graphic report Blackington pointed out that seven other police officers testified about Smith's actions, including punching a handcuffed man in the face as he was lying on the ground.
Defense attorney John Tompkins told jurors that Smith was innocent of using excessive force and that the county sheriff's department was deeply divided.
