CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A lawyer for a Westlake detective accused of beating a man during an interrogation said Monday that some of the man's injuries were not caused by the officer, but were the result of unrelated sexual activity.

Attorney Kevin Spellacy made the remark during opening statements in the case of officer Robert Toth, whose trial on charges of using excessive force and obstructing justice began Monday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bridget Brennan described in her opening statement a prolonged and brutal April 2014 beating that Teddie Abadie suffered at the hands of the enraged detective.

Spellacy countered during his opening remarks that sores found inside Abadie's mouth -- photos of which were later shown to the jury -- were not caused by his client but rather "some type of sex stuff we'll get into later."

He described Abadie as an unreliable drug addict and his client as a decorated, trusted police officer respected by his colleagues. Prosecutors objected to Spellacy's description of Abadie and characterization of Abadie's injuries. U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent overruled the objection.

Toth, 49, of North Olmsted, was arrested in June after a grand jury indicted him. He is on unpaid leave from the department.

During her opening statements, Brennan painted the picture of a detective who deliberately broke the rules and then went out of his way to cover it up.

She said Monday that the attack occurred at Abadie's apartment building in the Flats.

Toth and his partner, Jeremiah Bullians, visited Abadie to discuss a drug and guns investigation, Brennan said. While interrogating him, Toth punched Abadie in the face, threw him to the ground and kicked him in the ribs.

Toth handcuffed Abadie and took him to an unmarked SUV. He told Abadie that "you better start talking before I stop this car. I'm going to bury you and I'm going to kill your dog," Brennan said. He then drove to a cemetery in Rocky River, got out of the car and choked Abadie with a seat belt, Brennan said.

Abadie was arrested but was released the next day without charges. Toth falsified his police report and later, when he found out the FBI was investigating him, lied to an FBI agent, Brennan said

Bullins was not charged, though he admitted that he punched Abadie in the chest. Bullins is expected to testify, although he doesn't want to, Brennan said.

The prosecutor noted that Bullins still has a strong sense of loyalty toward his partner. He even contacted him before and after testifying at a federal grand jury to let Toth know what sort of questions were asked, Brennan said.

"The bottom line is nobody -- badge or not -- is above the law in this country," she said.

The defense's version of events was drastically different from the prosecutors' account. Spellacy said that Toth punched Abadie and took him to the ground after Abadie flicked a cigarette at Toth's beard. He said two Cleveland police officers at the scene also saw the same thing.

Spellacy also insinuated that Bullins must have something to hide.

"He's turned into a government puppet, because he's scared of the power of the United States of America," Spellacy said.

FBI Special Agent Michael Haynie testified Monday that police department logs show that Toth and other Westlake police employees revised the incident report over a period of more than two weeks.

During this time, the FBI visited Westlake police Chief Kevin Bielozer to notify him of the investigation.

Bielozer did not immediately return a phone call Monday.

Toth was hired by Westlake in 1992. He is expected to take the stand during the weeklong trial.

Bullins has been on desk duty since May.