|
|
| Inmates allege brutal beating in suit |
| By Chicago Sun-Times |
| Published: 05/23/2005 |
|
Did Cook County (Ill.) Jail officers cross a forbidden line on July 29, 2000, beating five handcuffed, defenseless inmates because a guard was upset with one of the inmate's jailhouse lawyering? Or did the inmates sucker-punch the unsuspecting guards into a fight so the inmates could file a lawsuit against Cook County to make money? Lawyers for the inmates and the officers painted starkly different pictures of the incident for a jury of two African Americans and 11 whites and Hispanics, including one alternate juror, in last Tuesday's opening arguments in a civil trial stemming from the lawsuit. "There's a general rule that a line is not supposed to be crossed, but each incident is different," Sheriff Michael Sheahan told a lawyer for the inmates last Tuesday. Officers get extensive training on the limited circumstances in which to use excessive force, he said. "You have to have a reasonable reason to do that, and we accept that," Sheahan said. A grand jury and the Cook County state's attorney ruled out criminal charges against the officers, citing conflicting testimony about what sent five inmates and seven officers to hospitals that day. But the burden of proof is lower in civil court where the inmates seek money for their injuries. Sheahan's attorney, Jim Lydon, dismissed the inmates' injuries as mere cuts, bruises and swelling. "They were sent back to the jail with Motrin," Lydon said. The fact that all four plaintiffs are convicted murderers is not supposed to be an issue. The fifth inmate dropped out of the lawsuit. "This case is not about their past -- it's about what happens to them while they're in jail, presumed innocent, awaiting their trials. Every inmate housed at Cook County Jail is entitled to freedom from torture and abuse," Northwestern University law student Merkys Gomez told jurors. Gomez and two classmates who just graduated are assisting the inmates' lawyers. |
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think