ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The second trial for a former Albuquerque police officer accused of false imprisonment is set to continue Wednesday.
Skeens is accused of using excessive force against Matthew McManus in August 2022, unlawfully arresting him while he was attempting to use cash to purchase a bicycle at an Albuquerque Target self-checkout. Bodycam footage shows Skeens asking McManus to collect his money and leave, threatening to issue a criminal trespass, and, eventually, taking McManus out of the store and detaining him. Skeens first trial was declared a mistrial as a result of a hung jury after they were unable to unanimously agree on a verdict.
On Tuesday, April 1, the prosecution and defense both provided opening statements. The state prosecutor emphasized that McManus “may have had some cognitive issues” and was moving slowly at the checkout counter due to a stroke he had a couple of years prior. The state leaned into how Skeens initiated the situation, entering the Target, asking to speak with the store’s asset protection specialist, Ty Hunt, about the two individuals outside, and, in the process, flagging McManus as a potential shoplifter. In the defense’s opening statement, they argued Hunt was the one who pointed out McManus to Skeens, saying Skeens did not initiate the situation.
The trial is expected to last through the end of the week. If convicted, Skeens faces up to four years behind bars.
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