NEWARK - A Bayonne police officer accused of helping a disgraced cop cover up use of excessive force is expected to testify on his own behalf in court Monday afternoon.

Francis Styles, who is charged with falsifying records and misprision, will be the first witness called to the stand after the government rested its case. The government alleges Styles intentionally lied in the reports he filed surrounding the 2013 arrest of Brandon Walsh, omitting any details of former Police Officer Domenico Lillo striking Walsh.

On Dec. 27, Bayonne police officers went to Walsh's Avenue C home to arrest him on a warrant out of Sussex County. Officers say Walsh acted "violently" because he was intoxicated and assaulted three cops. Lillo deployed pepper spray inside Walsh's home, sickening many of his family members.

Lillo struck Walsh in the head with a flashlight while he was being led to a police car and the assault was captured on video. Lillo has pleaded guilty to using excessive force during the arrest and testified against Styles in return for a possible lighter sentence.

The defense is expected to argue that Styles' suffered a head injury during the struggle with Walsh and was directly exposed to the pepper spray Lillo deployed to subdue Walsh. An expert is also expected to testify about the lingering effects pepper spray exposure has on an individual.

Bayonne Police Lt. Matthew Dugan testified Monday morning about the procedures followed when officers file arrest reports, criminal complaints, and use of force reports. Dugan had signed off on the reports submitted by Lillo and Styles and said he was never informed Walsh had been struck in the head.

The government rested in the case just before noon. Styles attorneys had motioned for acquittal, arguing the government presented weak testimony against Styles. U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty rejected the motion saying there was video evidence and a jury would decide if Styles intentionally lied in his reports.

A lawsuit filed by Walsh and his family was settled by the city of Bayonne. The Jersey Journal has taken the city to court to force it to release the terms of the settlement.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.