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.
Celebrations approach to commemorate Smokey Bear for his 80th birthday
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.