Former APD officer accused of dragging disabled man out of Target takes the stand
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) — The trial against Kenneth Skeens, the former Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officer accused of dragging a disabled man out of an Albuquerque Target is in its fourth day.
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Skeens is being accused of using excessive force against Matthew McManus while he was at the self checkout trying to buy a bike. He is facing false imprisonment, making a false report and perjury charges.
Skeens took the stand Friday and he alleges that a Target asset protection specialist told him there was a man in the store that was going to steal. Skeens maintained that if an employee indicates a person is trespassing it becomes his duty to remove the individual.
Skeens told the jury he believed Target asked him to remove Matthew McManus.
“So when Hunt testified that you pointed McManus out, that’s not true,” asked John D’Amato, defense attorney for Skeens. “No, I did not even know McManus existed until Ty Hunt told me there was a man in the store going to steal,” Skeens said.
The state focused on whether Target actually asked Skeens to remove McManus or not.
Friday afternoon, both sides gave closing arguments for Skeens’ three charges: false imprisonment, perjury, and making a false report.
“The defendant wrongfully arrested Mr. McManus. Freedom is important. And it’s important to get things right before you’re going to deprive someone of their freedom, and it’s important to get a clear and unequivocal answer from Target before you decide to arrest someone,” said Johnna Walker, prosecuting attorney.
“I submit to you the conversation, the total conversation between Skeens and Hunt left Skeens with the impression, I now can go CT him,” D’Amato said, “Of course that video looks bad. But when you put it in context, when you get all the evidence that you have, it starts to make sense.”
The jury left to deliberate shortly after 4:00pm Friday, and are expected to resume Monday morning. If convicted of all charges, Skeens could face up to four years behind bars.
