By Alabama Public Radio
Mobile, AL – A Mobile police officer has lost again in his legal battle to overturn a three-day suspension. Corporal Howell Robertson was suspended after speaking to the Mobile Register about celebratory gunfire on New Year's Eve of 2000. The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, in a three-to-two decision, ruled there was enough evidence to support Robertson's suspension without pay. It was the second time the appeals court had reviewed the case. Robertson's attorney says he will ask the court to reconsider. If it does not, the case may be appealed to the state Supreme Court. Robertson says the suspension violated his First Amendment right to free speech.