ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) The former South Carolina police officer who apologized after attacking a Black man seemingly without provocation during an arrest last year now wants a jury to acquit him of a misdemeanor charge stemming from the incident.
ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) The former South Carolina police officer who apologized after attacking a Black man seemingly without provocation during an arrest
/ Former Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood
Prosecutors are painting the trial of former Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood and two of his top deputies as a classic case of abuse of power. The trial got underway this week at the federal courthouse in Columbia, South Carolina.
Underwood, known nationally for working with youths and bringing down gang operations in Chester was stripped of his duties in 2019, shortly after he and his Chief Deputy Robert Sprouse were accused of allegedly flying first-class to Nevada with their wives on a personal trip, using county funds. Underwood is also charged with using on-duty deputies to renovate a barn on his property. Underwood, Sprouse and former Lt. Johnny Neal are pleading not guilty to the more than 20 charges filed against them.