Sedrick Altheimer, a Black newspaper carrier who is at the center of Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer's criminal trial, testified Dec. 6. Troyer faces two misdemeanor charges after he allegedly claimed on an officer line to 911 dispatch that Altheimer threatened to kill him in January 2021. On the witness stand, Altheimer recounted the events from the night of Jan. 27, working through his emotions at times. Altheimer said that he noticed a white SUV following him along his route about 1:40 a.m. After spotting the SUV three times, Altheimer said he walked up to the car after delivering a paper. Altheimer said he asked Troyer, who was driving, why he was following him, if he was a cop and if it was because he was Black. Altheimer said Troyer didn’t answer his questions. Troyer remained in his car and “accused me of being a porch pirate,” Altheimer said. When asked by Troyer’s attorney, Anne Bremner, how the sheriff would have known Altheimer was a newspaper carrier, Altheimer said he didn’t know. Altheimer also said Troyer never brought up race, outside of calling him a “porch pirate.” After Troyer told Altheimer he “had four cars coming,” Altheimer said he walked back to his car, “stepped on the gas,” and continued his route. Altheimer delivered two more newspapers, saw Troyer’s car again and they came to a stop. Altheimer said he started taking pictures of Troyer’s car and license plate. Neither Altheimer or Troyer got out of their cars until officers showed up, Altheimer said. Altheimer estimated police arrived seven minutes later. READ THE FULL STORY: https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/tacoma/pierce-county-sheriff-troyer-criminal-trial-day-8/281-4f79da6a-a53a-4087-ba2c-e4a351860fff