(CNN)Alabama's governor apologized for what he called an "unfortunate use of excessive force" by a police officer against an Indian man, even as the officer in question pleaded not guilty to assault. Gov. Robert Bentley wrote a letter to the consul general of India in Atlanta, Ajit Kumar, offering an apology to the government of India for the "tragic incident." Bentley was referring to an encounter where a Madison County, Alabama, police officer forced a 59-year-old man to the ground, causing partial paralysis. "I wish to assure you and the government of India that we will see that justice is done," Bentley wrote.
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Eric Parker was released last week after posting $1,000 bail
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He is accused of assaulting Sureshbhai Patel while on duty and answering a suspicious person report
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Patel was taken to the ground and needed spinal surgery
Patel was walking through a neighborhood in Madison when @placeholder and another officer answered a call about a suspicious man.