It was a busy week in the courts and for elected officials looking for ways to pay for city and county services.

Here are the top stories of the past week, along with selected comments posted by readers at fresnobee.com.

Manfredi, Plymale take the stand

What happened: Fresno police Sgt. Michael Manfredi and former officer Sean Plymale testified in their police brutality trial, agreeing that they moved a key piece of evidence -- a beer bottle -- during a 2005 arrest. Plymale and Manfredi are accused of concealing an alleged assault by former officers Chris Coleman and Paul Van Dalen. All four are charged with falsifying an official report to obstruct justice.

What it means: A federal jury will decide the officers' fate, possibly as soon as this week.

What readers said:

"I am a Police Officer (not in fresno) and these officers actions are horrible. I can honestly say I treat people with respect and only use force when appropriate!"

-- dueceswild

Bond ratings and outsourcing

What happened: City Hall reporter George Hostetter broke the news that Moody's had lowered its rating on many of Fresno's bonds, at the same time the city struggles with pushing through outsourcing of residential trash service.

What it means: The Moody's downgrade adds credence to City Manager Mark Scott's warnings about a fiscal crisis.

What readers said:

"80 garbage workers causing so much stress. The city does not have the money to continue all their services as they are. Outsourcing services is part of the solution. The mayor has a lot of courage taking on a fiscal mess! Citizens that don't have a better solution need to stay on the sideline and watch."

-- Rene Sanchez

"Your tax dollars at work: $57,000 for the outsourcing media campaign, $40,000 to count the petitions, at least $100,000 for outside legal work to contest the environmental impact suit, and we could pay up to $1 million for the election. All down the drain if the proposed election defeats the Council's vote to outsource. Do these measures save money? And Ms. Swearengin is already planning more service cuts and layoffs anyway."

-- lucky13

Martzen testifies

What happened: Megan Martzen had her first chance to tell a jury what happened when the toddler she had been watching, Ella VanLeeuwen, fell from her bed in February 2009. Key to her testimony was telling about what has become a pivotal issue in her own defense -- a booster-seat fall the day before Martzen watched Ella and her toddler brother, John.

What it means: Martzen will likely return to the stand this week, and the case could be sent to the jury this week, too.

What readers said:

"There is clearly reasonable doubt in this case."

-- FarmerGeorge

Animal tax fails

What happened: Animal rescue groups packed the Fresno County Board of Supervisors' chamber on Tuesday to support a sales tax for a new animal shelter, but their efforts came up short.

What it means: Supervisors agreed to have a broader discussion on the county's long-term animal control strategy at this week's meeting.

What readers said:

"A fee for owning a pet is a quite reasonable proposition. It does not work, however, as the same people that won't take care of their animals are the same people that won't pay fees."

-- MrMoto