FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
May 12, 2016
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
ATTORNEY GENERAL FILES MOTION TO DISMISS CHARGES AGAINST
FORMER MADISON POLICE OFFICER ERIC PARKER
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange announced the State of Alabama has
filed a motion in Limestone County District Court to dismiss a misdemeanor assault charge
against former Madison police officer Eric Parker.
“After a careful review of the witness testimony included in 2,000 pages of federal trial
transcripts and a re-evaluation of the evidence, we are seeking to dismiss State charges against
Mr. Parker,” said Attorney General Strange.
“Without a doubt this is an unfortunate case and we agree with U.S. District Judge Madeline
Haikala that ‘The result in this case is by no means satisfying. Hindsight brings clarity to a
calamityÖ’.
“Nevertheless, the State has been monitoring the federal court proceedings since last September
which resulted in two federal mistrials of Mr. Parker and his acquittal by a federal judge. While
the State charge has a lesser kind of culpability than that of the federal charge, the evidence is the
same and the State’s burden remains proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“After a review of the federal trial testimony, it does not appear that there would be sufficient
evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Thus, we have a duty to move to dismiss
the charge.”
–30–
A copy of the motion to dismiss is attached
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov AlaFile E-Notice
44-DC-2015-000253.00
Judge: DOUGLAS L PATTERSON
To: ARRINGTON ANDREW DARRELL
aarrington@ago.state.al.us
NOTICE OF ELECTRONIC FILING
IN THE COURT OF LIMESTONE COUNTY, ALABAMA
STATE OF ALABAMA V. PARKER ERIC SLOAN
44-DC-2015-000253.00
The following matter was FILED on 5/12/2016 4:20:42 PM
C001 STATE OF ALABAMA
MOTION TO DISMISS
[Filer: LISENBY WILLIAM ARLES JR.]
Notice Date: 5/12/2016 4:20:42 PM
BRAD CURNUTT
CIRCUIT COURT CLERK
LIMESTONE COUNTY, ALABAMA
200 WASHINGTON STREET WEST
ATHENS, AL 35611
256-233-6406
brad.curnutt@alacourt.govDOCUMENT 112
ELECTRONICALLY FILED
5/12/2016 4:20 PM
44-DC-2015-000253.00
CIRCUIT COURT OF
LIMESTONE COUNTY, ALABAMA
BRAD CURNUTT, CLERK
THE DISTRICT COURT OF LIMESTONE COUNTY, ALABAMA
CRIMINAL DIVISION
STATE OF ALABAMA, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) CASE NO.: DC 2015-253
)
ERIC SLOAN PARKER, )
)
Defendant )
STATE’S MOTION TO DISMISS
COMES NOW, the State of Alabama, by and through its Attorney General Luther
Strange, and respectfully requests this Honorable Court to dismiss the above case.
Done this 12th day of May, 2016.
Respectfully submitted,
LUTHER STRANGE
ATTORNEY GENERAL
BY:
/s/ Bill Lisenby, Jr.
BILL LISENBY, JR. (LIS002)
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL
DOCUMENT 112
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I herby certify that I have on this 12th day of May, 2016, served a true copy of the
foregoing with the Clerk of Court using the AlaFile system which will send notification of such
filing to the following registered persons:
Honorable Robert B. Tuten
223 Eastside Square
Huntsville, Alabama 35801-4802
(256) 536-6881
rtuten@tutenlaw.com
/s/ Bill Lisenby, Jr.
BILL LISENBY, JR. (LIS002)
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL
ADDRESS OF COUNSEL:
Office of the Attorney General
Criminal Trials Division
501 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36130
Phone: (334) 242-7300
wlisenby@ago.state.al.us
