A trial is slated to begin Monday in U.S. District Court in Camden, New Jersey, in the case of a man who was allegedly rendered quadriplegic by officers from the Camden County Police Department.

The suit claims Xavier Ingram became paralyzed when Sgt. Jeremy Merck stepped on his neck during an arrest. The defense maintains that Ingram’s paralysis was caused by a trip-and-fall accident, shortly before his arrest, but Ingram’s lawyers call that version of events a “false narrative” and say it will be disproved by evidence and expert testimony.

Chief Judge Juan Sanchez of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. (Courtesy photo)