Trial begins for Minneapolis cop accused of excessive force, perjury

The trial of a Minneapolis police officer accused of using excessive force and lying about it began Tuesday at the federal courthouse in St. Paul.

Federal prosecutors say officer Michael Griffin, a 10-year veteran of the force, abused his authority when he fought with several men in two separate incidents in 2010 and 2011. Each time, Griffin was in plainclothes and off duty, but identified himself as a police officer. However, Griffin's defense attorney says the officer was merely trying to defend himself and used reasonable force.

On May 29, 2010, Griffin scuffled with Ibrahim Regai outside a downtown nightclub. In her opening statement, Assistant US Attorney Manda Sertich said Regai and Griffin tangled first verbally and then physically. The confrontation ended with Regai lying on the sidewalk unconscious and bleeding after Griffin punched him in the face.

Sertich said he later filed a police report that made it sound like Regai was the aggressor. She said Griffin handed his badge to a friend and told Regai, "I'm not an officer now. We can fight."

But defense attorney Robert Richman said Regai wouldn't leave Griffin alone. And he said Regai was intoxicated, belligerent and "refused to back down."

Richman said this incident and another in 2011 are examples of how testosterone and alcohol are a bad mix. However, he said Griffin doesn't drink and never has. On Nov. 5, 2011, Griffin tangled with three men outside the Loop bar downtown, which resulted in Griffin kicking and punching a man named Jeremy Axel, who was later treated at a hospital.

Again, the accounts told by the prosecution and defense differed sharply. Prosecutors said Griffin used excessive force and was overly aggressive with the men. The defense said the men threatened to beat up Griffin, so he was trying to defend himself.

Griffin has been charged with nine counts, including perjury for allegedly lying under oath during civil trials that stemmed from both incidents. Regai sued Griffin and the city of Minneapolis, and reached a settlement with the city for $140,000. In 2013, a jury awarded Axel and one of the other men from the incident outside the Loop bar more than $270,000 in compensation and legal fees.

Richman said he intends to have Griffin take the stand in his own defense during the trial.