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Westlake police officer Jeremiah Bullins testified Wednesday that he punched a suspect in April 2014.

(Patrick Cooley/cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Westlake police officer Jeremiah Bullins took the stand Wednesday and admitted that he punched a handcuffed suspect in the chest without provocation.

Bullins, who has worked for the department for eight years, told Assistant U.S. Attorney Bridget Brennan that "I lost my cool and struck" Teddie Abadie in April 2014, as they rode in an SUV along the Detroit Shoreway.

"I said it's something that I've never done before. I apologized," Bullins said. "I knew that I was wrong and I was owning up to it."

Bullins is a reluctant witness in a trial for his partner, Westlake detective Robert Toth, who is accused of threatening, kicking and choking Abadie with a seat belt during questioning in a drug and guns investigation.

Bullins' testimony comes after he entered into an agreement that says his statements to a grand jury and on the stand would not be used against him in any criminal investigation. However, the the U.S. Attorney's Office has not ruled out charging him in the case.

His testimony came with Toth and a group of officers seated in the audience watching him. He said it was the first time he has publicly admitted to punching the shackled Abadie.

Upon questioning by prosecutors, Bullins said that Abadie never acted aggressively toward him or his partner.

Toth tried to have Abadie charged with assault on a police officer and claimed that Abadie flicked a cigarette at him, Bullins said. He said he told Bullins that was impossible, because that never happened.

When the FBI began its investigation, Toth suggested that they not use their cellphones to discuss the case for fear that the agency was listening to their conversations or reading their texts. This led to covert meetings in the police department's garage and other locations.

Defense attorney Kevin Spellacy forced Bullins to admit to inconsistencies in his story. Bullins told a grand jury in November 2014 that he hit Abadie while riding on Interstate 90. Bullins also admitted that he was not looking directly at Toth and Abadie during the period of time that prosecutors said that Toth attacked Abadie.

Toth's trial is expected to continue through the week.