Arpaio wants to call Sessions as witness at contempt trial

JACQUES BILLEAUD
Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) – Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio has added a surprising name to the witness list for his upcoming criminal contempt-of-court trial.

He’s seeking the testimony of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whose agency is prosecuting the lawman for defying a judge’s order to stop his immigration patrols.

Arpaio attorney Jack Wilenchik says Sessions’ testimony would underscore a contradiction between a current federal immigration policy and the 2011 court order that his client is charged with violating.

Arpaio has acknowledged violating the order, but insists his defiance wasn’t intentional.

The U.S. Justice Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday .

Paul Charlton, a former U.S. attorney who isn’t involved in the contempt case, says the chances of Sessions testifying at Arpaio’s trial are slim to none.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.