2nd witness admits to lying during Huntsville excessive force in - WAFF-TV

1.8.15

2nd witness admits to lying during Huntsville excessive force in - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL: Testimony continued with members of the Huntsville police force Tuesday.

Joshua Bates testified Tuesday afternoon. He was training a cadet the night Hopkins was arrested. He had been called to the scene to assist in putting Hopkins in leg shackles.

Bates told the court that if he had known Russell talked about the assault, he would not have gone to assist. He broke down on the stand and admitted to the court that he lied twice to Internal Affairs, lied to an FBI agent, and then lied to a federal grand jury.

He said he lied about seeing Russell strike Hopkins and that he also lied about Hopkins' movement, which he now says were really from Russell's blows.

Bates admitted the truth to the U.S. Attorney a few days ago, saying it affected his family life and career. Prosecutors offered him immunity in exchange for Tuesday's testimony.