The son of a northern New Mexico sheriff accused roughing up a driver says he and his father chased the motorist because he had run a stop sign.
Thomas Rodella, Jr., told jurors Thursday his father, Rio Arriba County Sheriff Thomas Rodella, identified himself as a lawman twice before arresting 26-year-old Michael Tafoya.
Authorities say the older Rodella was in plainclothes in March when he pulled over Tafoya in a fit of road rage, jumped out of his personal SUV with a gun, and shoved his badge in Tafoya's face.
Rodella is standing trial on federal charges of deprivation of rights and brandishing a firearm. He has pleaded not guilty.
Under cross examination, the young Rodella admitted he was taking several psychotropic drugs and suffered from PTSD. The son also says he had memory problems.
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