SHEFFIELD — Mayor Ian Sanford spent more than three hours testifying at an apppeal hearing this morning outlining why he fired Sheffield Police Chief Greg Ray in October.

Sanford covered seven points that he said led to Ray’s dismal.

City prosecutor Ben Gardner and Ray’s attorney, Tony Hughes of Florence, questioned Sanford about what led to the termination.

Ray, 54, was terminated Oct. 26 after being given a choice of resigning or facing termination because of performance issues, Sanford said at the time. Among the performance issues cited was Ray’s failure to address concerns brought up by the mayor and council members.

Before taking a lunch break, Civil Service Board Chairman Franklin Brown asked Sanford if he told Ray that his job would be in jeopardy if he did not correct the issues. The mayor answered “no.”

The hearing is in the second-floor City Hall courtroom.

Ray, who is on leave with pay, appealed the termination to the Civil Service Board.