Publication Date: Friday, March 25, 2005
Hopkins' other run-ins with police
Hopkins' other run-ins with police
(March 25, 2005)When Albert Hopkins -- the alleged victim in the trial against two Palo Alto police officers -- first took the stand, Deputy District Attorney Peter Waite asked him to recall several past encounters with other police officers.
Those encounters did not lead to violence, Waite noted pointedly.
"I was speeding and not upset," the 61-year-old black man said of a ticket he received in Palo Alto in 1995. Hopkins made similar comments about other tickets he received.
A more controversial encounter happened in April 2003. Testifying on Tuesday, Hopkins accused two Mountain View officers of stopping him near the city's downtown post office for no other reason than his race. They eventually gave him a ticket for running a stop sign.
Like with the controversial July 2003 incident that prompted the trial, Hopkins' version of events differs from the officers, according to the defense attorneys.
The Mountain View officers reportedly noted that Hopkins exited his van and stood aggressively with his hands on his hips. He strongly denied that on Tuesday. Hopkins also said he saw the officers laughing as they drove away. An incredulous defense attorney Harry Stern asked Hopkins how clearly he saw that act.
"As clearly as I see you," Hopkins shot back.
Hopkins' version of an encounter he had with a female bus driver in 2000 also differs from police. Hopkins was arrested after hugging and kissing the stranger.
Police said Hopkins told them he knew the woman wanted the kiss, but Hopkins denied that on Tuesday and described the encounter as fun and playful. Hopkins eventually pled no contest to disturbing the peace in connection to the incident.
"Here again we have an incident where your perception of the threat or people's reaction to you doesn't jibe with everyone else," Defense Attorney Harry Stern said.
Earlier in the trial, Judge Andrea Bryan had ruled the 2000 incident would not be allowed in court, at the request of the prosecution. But Waite brought it up during Hopkins' direct examination, opening the door for defense attorneys.
Three other times prior to July 2003, a Palo Alto officer approached Hopkins while he lived in his car. That officer, and those involved in some of the other incidents, are expected to be witnesses later in the trial.
-- Bill D'Agostino
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