A mistrial was declared for a former Beaumont police officer charged with beating a handcuffed prisoner after an important document in the case arrived late.
A Superior Court judge on Thursday declared the mistrial and ordered a new jury to be chosen on Nov. 13.
Christopher A. Chester, 34, is charged with two counts of assault and a count of assault under the color of authority. He could face up to seven years in prison and a $10,000 fine in convicted.
He is accused of punching David Alan Dietrich, 49, after the man spat on him from the back seat of his patrol car.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 14, 2006. Read the original PDF.