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Junkie
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the end result of disarmament
This is what happens when THE ONLY ONES (cops and military) are allowed guns and the citizens aren't.
2nd police attack alleged
Quote:
Bar video reportedly shows beating of 4
By David Heinzmann
Tribune staff reporter
Published March 25, 2007
Prosecutors are investigating allegations that six off-duty Chicago cops were caught on a downtown bar's video camera beating four businessmen, the second such incident in recent months, law enforcement sources said.
In the Dec. 15 beating at the Jefferson Tap and Grille, one alleged victim required reconstructive surgery on his face and another suffered four broken ribs, said Sally Saltzberg, a lawyer for the men.
Other bar patrons called 911. But when patrol officers responded, the off-duty officers involved allegedly spoke to them and the patrol officers left without intervening, sources said.
Security cameras inside and outside the bar recorded most of the beating, said Saltzberg, who said she has not seen the tape herself.
Law enforcement sources have described the content of the video to the Tribune.
The probe began with a complaint to the Office of Professional Standards. The Cook County state's attorney's office is considering criminal charges against the officers, sources said.
Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said she could not comment on the ongoing investigation, but she acknowledged that Supt. Philip Cline is aware of the case.
Details of the incident have emerged in the wake of accusations that Chicago Police Officer Anthony Abbate beat a woman Feb. 19 at a Northwest Side bar. The incident also was caught on the bar's security video. Charges against Abbate, 38, were upgraded this week to felony aggravated battery, from a misdemeanor.
Off-duty at the time of the attack, he is accused of beating bartender Karolina Obrycka at Jesse's Short Stop Inn because she refused to serve him another drink.
Saltzberg said the four men beaten at Jefferson Tap are frustrated that, given the existence of the video, no formal action has yet been taken.
"My clients are incredibly disappointed and they're angry," she said. She said they also remain fearful of retribution from police officers.
Saltzberg filed a petition Feb. 27 in Cook County Circuit Court seeking the names of the officers, but said Friday she has not been given the information. The petition is a precursor to a lawsuit, but the men have not formally filed suit.
The four businessmen--two of whom are traders at the Chicago Board of Trade--were shooting pool at the bar, 325 N. Jefferson St., when, Saltzberg said, they were jumped without provocation. The men--brothers Aaron and Barry Gilfand, Adam Mastrucci and Scott Lowrance--contend they had no contact with the officers before the attack as the bartender announced last call shortly before 2 a.m., Saltzberg said.
Law enforcement sources confirmed Saltzberg's account.
Barry Gilfand, who manages a restaurant, came to the bar with his brother, a private investor, after he closed the eatery. They were met by Lowrance and Mastrucci, who are traders.
As he stood at the billiards table, Aaron Gilfand was approached by a large man who said something to him, Saltzberg said. Because of the bar noise, he didn't hear the man's remark and just responded, "Sure, man," she said.
He then was grabbed from behind by another man who put him in a chokehold and threw him to the floor, she said.
Simultaneously, the other three men were attacked and thrown to the floor, Saltzberg said. Lowrance allegedly was knocked unconscious immediately. Barry Gilfand was dragged out onto the sidewalk, she said, where he was beaten.
Through Saltzberg, all four men have declined to speak on the record about the incident.
The men claim that two police squad cars and a police wagon arrived while they were on the sidewalk outside the bar. Aaron Gilfand ran up to one of the police cars and begged the officers to help his brother, who still was being hit, Saltzberg said.
The video depicts one of the off-duty officers, who is a sergeant, waving off a responding officer, a law enforcement source said. The responding officers then left the scene.
After the incident, the Gilfands and Mastrucci ran to the front entrance of Lowrance's home, which is nearby, and watched as the men who beat them left, Saltzberg said.
While Aaron Gilfand was being treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital for his facial wounds, Saltzberg said, he was photographed by a Chicago police officer who arrived at the hospital. All four men have been interviewed by investigators and have viewed photo lineups multiple times. Some of them were able to positively identify the men involved in the attack in the lineups, Saltzberg said.
The men's legal demand for the names of the officers will come before a Cook County judge on April 2, Saltzberg said.
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But we should implicitly trust our elected officials and police protectors, right?
__________________
"no amount of force can control a free man, a man whose mind is free. No, not the rack, not fission bombs, not anything. You cannot conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him."
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