February 22, 2012

Assault trial of county jail guard under way

The Associated Press

PORTLAND — The trial of a Cumberland County jail guard accused of assaulting an inmate has started.

Guard Nicholas Stein is accused of dragging and punching inmate Brian Cote last June.

Cote testified Tuesday that he was injured after a jump from the second-floor balcony. He says Stein dragged him 200 feet and punched him in the face instead of summoning medical help as required. Cote says he jumped because he had been denied his medications.

WCSH-TV reports that Cote's girlfriend testified that he was in a wheelchair for five months and underwent several surgeries after the jump.

Stein's attorney says surveillance video shows her client handcuffing Cote and taking him to the medical unit, but does not show a punch.

Stein is on leave after pleading not guilty.

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