Calgary police officers charged with assault head to trial in March

The three Calgary police officers charged with assaulting a manduring a violent arrest in the summer will face a week-long trial in March 2017.

JamesOthen, 38,KevinHumfrey, 33, andMichaelSandalack, 31, are each charged with assault causing bodily harm.

An out-of-town judge will preside over the trial, and aprosecutor from Edmonton has been assigned the file, to avoid any possible conflict of interest, given the trio are local police officers.

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Clayton Prince, 34, suffered a collapsed lung and broken ribs during his arreston July 30.

When an officer attempted a traffic stop on a white SUVin a parking lot in the6700 block ofMacleodTrail South, Prince got out and ran from the car.

He was allegedly assaulted whilelying on the groundhandcuffed, according to the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT).

The officers only came under investigation after video from a policedashcamsurfaced that contradictedtheir accounts of the incident.

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The lead investigator from ASIRT was in the courtroom as the trial dates were set.

Othen faces additional charges of mischief and assault with a weapon for allegedly digging a key into Prince's neck.

Humfrey is also charged with two counts of public mischief.

The mischiefcharges relate to false statements the two officers are alleged to have given that led to Prince being charged with resisting arrest, which was later stayed.

Othen and Humfrey are suspended with pay pending review while Sandalack remains on administrative duties.

The trial beginsMarch 28, 2017.

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