Jurors Deliberate In Denver Jail Death Trial

DENVER (AP) — Jurors began deliberating Friday afternoon in the trial of five Denver sheriff's deputies accused of using excessive force against a homeless street preacher who died at the jail.

An attorney for the family of Marvin Booker asked federal court jurors to send a message to law enforcement and award a large settlement.

Darold Killmer said some of the evidence is missing and excessive restraints contributed to Booker's death in 2010.

Booker died after deputies shocked him with a Taser while he was handcuffed, put him in a sleeper hold and lay on top of him.

The lawyer for the deputies, Thomas Rice, says their actions were in line with the sheriff department's policies.

A family attorney says the force was a malicious overreaction to the frail 56-year-old.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)