Teacher testifies about scuffle at Kennett Walmart

KENNETT— Testimony in the trial of Heather Ellis has concluded with Ellis, her cousin and aunt telling the jury it was police who were abusive to her.

The 24-year-old school teacher from Louisiana is accused of cutting in line at the Kennett Walmart in January 2007, then becoming belligerent and refusing to leave after store managers asked her to go.

Ellis is black and the arresting officers are white. The racial overtones of the case have drawn national attention.

Prosecutors have tried to show that Ellis became belligerent when another customer confronted her for cutting in line at the cashier.

Police have said Ellis used obscene language and kicked and bit officers as they led her out of the store.

But in testimony Friday, Ellis said she didn't curse or attack anyone.

She said it was police who attacked her in the parking lot. Her 15-year-old cousin who was with her at the store and Ellis' aunt, who arrived in the parking lot, collaborated Ellis' story.