Madison Police Chief Larry Muncey. CONTRIBUTED

Madison Police Captain Terrell Cook. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – U.S. District Judge Madeline Hughes Haikala, who acquitted former Madison police officer Eric Parker of charges of civil rights violation and excessive force, now has opened contempt of court charges against Chief Larry Muncey and Capt. Terrell Cook in Madison Police Department.

According to Haikala, Muncey and Cook allegedly violated an order for sequestration. In addition, the judge charges that Muncey allegedly tried to influence and later avenge witnesses in Parker’s trail. Other charges relate to Muncey and police supervisors in allegedly influencing officers’ testimony.

The court has placed Muncey with a gag order.

Haikala will delay possible prosecution until a civil case against Parker in Limestone County has been settled.

Parker was accused of using excessive force against Sureshbhai Patel, a resident of India who was visiting his son in Madison. The incident occurred in a Madison neighborhood near County Line Road on Feb. 6, 2015. Patel was hospitalized and has partial paralysis.