Sheriff Joe Arpaio says he didn’t ‘understand’ injunction he ignored
Apr 23, 2015, 11:23 AM | Updated: 4:31 pm
PHOENIX — A subdued Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio told a court Thursday that he didn’t have a full understanding of the injunction calling for him to halt his immigration patrols.
Arpaio, 82, spent a second day on the witness stand in a contempt-of-court hearing. He apologized to the court, saying that he had respect for the court and that, “It hurts me, after 55 years, to be in this position.”
When questioned, the sheriff said that he never intentionally violated his oath of office.
The sheriff could face fines if he’s found in contempt of court for his acknowledged violations of the injunction and two other orders issued in a racial-profiling case that Arpaio eventually lost.
On his first day on testimony, Arpaio took responsibility for not obeying the order in a racial-profiling case.
KTAR’s Mark Remillard and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
