Trial Begins For Man Accused of Biting Ala. Officer
June 27--The trial of a man charged with assault for allegedly biting an Opelika police officer's cheek during a 2011 scuffle began Tuesday in Lee County Circuit Court.
Travis McCullough, 32, of Opelika was charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct for the incident on Aug. 10, 2011, along Chester Avenue in Opelika. The trial that began Tuesday focused on the assault charges.
The prosecution alleges the bite occurred during a fight between McCullough and Opelika narcotics Detective Mike Rogers, who tried to arrest the defendant for refusing to obey his commands.
McCullough's attorney Margaret Brown argued the fight occurred because Rogers needlessly escalated the situation by using pepper spray on her client, who she said was sitting on a porch and waiting for more officers to arrive.
On Tuesday, Rogers testified McCullough refused to leave the intersection of Chester Avenue and Clifford and Easy streets, an area known for drug activity. Rogers said McCullough eventually walked to the nearby Eagle's Nest Social Club beside the residence of his third cousin.
Rogers testified McCullough, who claimed he was visiting his cousin, ignored orders to quit cussing at the officer and, subsequently, refused to submit to arrest on disorderly conduct charges.
Rogers said he eventually called for backup and decided to use pepper spray on McCullough, who was sitting on the porch of his cousin's house and still refused to submit to arrest. Rogers said he was bitten on the face in the scuffle that ensued after using the pepper spray. Rogers said a fellow officer who responded to his call for backup helped subdue McCullough.
Paramedics who treated Rogers testified the officer suffered a laceration from the bite but did not require stitches. Rogers was taken to East Alabama Medical Center for examination and released.
The trial is scheduled to resume Wednesday.
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