PORTLAND, Maine (AP) A state trooper says a man accused of killing a Maine sheriff’s deputy was struck at least once after being handcuffed.

Trooper Tyler Maloon’s testimony on Friday contradicted a special agent’s testimony he hit the defendant several times on the head for resisting while being handcuffed last spring in Norridgewock.

The defense is seeking to have John Williams’ confession tossed, saying he was badly beaten and suffering from opioid withdrawal after his arrest in the April 25 killing of Somerset County Cpl. Eugene Cole.

Several officers acknowledged cursing at him. And a state police officer said that he whispered in Williams’ ear that the slain officer’s handcuffs were being used to restrain him.