The trial for Ansonia police officer Mustafa Salahuddin will take place at Superior Court in Milford because of a backlog of cases at the Derby courthouse.
Salahuddin is facing sixth-degree larceny charges for allegedly stealing a garden hose from the police department in May 2008.
Salahuddin has fought the charges and said Thursday he can’t wait to have the case presented to a jury of “prudent people.”
“I’m not going to entertain any deal or offer of accelerated rehabilitation because I haven’t done anything wrong,” Salahuddin said after a brief court appearance in Derby. “I think if I have six prudent people who sit down and hear this thing from the beginning to the end, they’ll be able to see what it is, and that’s a witch hunt.”
Accelerated rehabilitation is a form of probation often offered to first-time offenders. If the person stays out of trouble for a certain amount of time, the person’s record is wiped clean.
Salahuddin has claimed that he had been repeatedly retaliated against by the department because of his race and his religion.
Salahuddin is a black Muslim.
Throughout the ordeal, Chief Kevin Hale has defended the investigation in the garden hose theft, and has denied that it was racially or personally motivated.
Court Appearance
During a brief court appearance in Superior Court in Derby Thursday, Judge Burton Kaplan continued his case until Jan. 29.
Kaplan said the Derby judge who would normally hear the trial is tied up in a civil case right now. He recommended Salahuddin’s case be heard by Judge Eddie Rodriguez in Superior Court in Milford.
On Jan. 29, Salahuddin will appear in Derby to schedule a date for the trial.
“I anticipate this case is going to be tried pretty quickly,” Kaplan said. “It’s one of the oldest cases on the list.”
Salahuddin’s attorney, Robert Serafinowicz, said the case is moving along as they have expected.
“I knew this case was going to go to trial back in June 2008,” Serafinowicz said. “Because sometimes you have to take a stand — and this is one of those situations.”
Salahuddin has been on paid leave since 2008.
