Former Isabella County Sherriff’s officer Christopher Cluley appeared in court today. He’s being charged for allegedly pushing an inmate to the floor and fracturing the man’s knee in April 2020.
Cluley’s criminal defense attorney John Freeman recently filed a motion in a pre-trial hearing to dismiss two felony counts of misconduct in office.
In a written statement, the attorney general says the alleged assault occurred between the inmate and officer while the inmate was being transferred between jail cells and is documented by video surveillance footage.
In the written motion, Freeman argued the felony counts are unconstitutional and the Attorney General’s office is overstepping its authority.
But at Friday’s hearing, Freeman opted to review deposition transcripts in the case before filing the motion to dismiss the felony charges.
The judge ruled that Cluley’s legal team will have 30 days to review the transcripts once they’re available. A settlement conference has been scheduled for late October. A trial date has not yet been set.
A spokesperson for the Attorney General told WCMU that Dana Nessel takes her duty seriously to hold those accountable who break the law, especially where matters of public integrity are involved.
