Hearing for East Haven, Conn., officers

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NEW HAVEN, Conn., Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Fellow officers could be called as witnesses against four East Haven, Conn., police officers accused of civil rights violations, federal prosecutors said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Krishna Patel said prosecutors were reluctant to provide the witness list to defense lawyers for fear the accused officers will contact officers expected to testify at the trial, scheduled for next year.

Sgt. John Miller along with Officers Dennis Spaulding, David Cari and Jason Zullo face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charges. Prosecutors say the officers engaged in racial profiling of Hispanics and beat handcuffed suspects. All four are free on bail and have been suspended with pay.

Patel said Thursday other defendants could be added or new charges brought against those already under indictment, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported.