The trial has begun for the first of four former Body County Detention Center deputy jailers who are accused in the 2018 death of an inmate.
Brad Roberts, a former sergeant at the detention center, is charged with manslaughter and 16 counts of first-degree criminal abuse in the death of Michael Moore, 40. Authorities have said Moore was intoxicated and that the deputies intentionally abused him or knowingly permitted his abuse and that the mistreatment caused Moore’s death.
During the first day of testimony Wednesday, jurors saw videos showing snippets of the last hours of Moore’s life: being thrown into a chair, body-slammed on the floor and falling from the top bunk of his bed, news outlets reported. Investigators have said Moore was found unresponsive at the jail hours after he was brought in.
Moore had been arrested by the Ashland Police Department and charged with public intoxication.
Three other former deputy jailers charged in the case have trials pending.
The Associated Press and Ken Howlett, News Director
