A stenographer read back grand jury testimony today in the assault trial of Rochester Police Officer Michael Sippel. Sippel is accused of using excessive force when he arrested Christopher Pate last May, thinking he was a burglary suspect. Sippel and his partner had the wrong man, and Pate suffered broken facial bones when he was taken down.
The stenographer took Officer Sippel's testimony before the grand jury. She said Sippel testified to hitting Pate and injuring his hand in the process.
Some additional police body cam footage was played in court. A training sergeant testified that it was Sippel's voice saying "I blasted my hand on his head."