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Anthony Abbate, left, accompanied by his attorney Peter Hickey, right (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
We're still waiting for more details, but according to a Sun-Times tweet Abbate has been sentenced to two years probation for the taped beating of bartender Karolina Obrycka. He was found guilty on a charge of aggravated battery three weeks ago.
Update: A Chicago Breaking News story confirms the probation sentence. Well. We guess that sends a message, huh?
Update 2: Based on the CBN story linked above, Abbate's sentence also includes, "a curfew of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for Abbate. The cop must also attend anger management classes, undergo alcohol evaluation and perform 130 hours of community service."
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No doubt a free pass for all badge-totin,' mullet-wearin,' hooligan drunks everywhere to go out and kick a petite, defenseless female bartender.
That fat piece of shit should have been put in prison for a long time. Disgusting.
I would agree, but it would be useful to see how his sentence compares to similar ones. At least he is unlikely to be police anymore.
Agreed. But if ever there was a case so seemingly cut-and-dry...
yea, you're looking at the newest guardian angel recruit
Because Guardian Angels get drunk in crappy bars and beat up women while other cowardly drunks simply look on?
Did I miss those new stories?
Yeah, great comparison. Apt. Extremely apt.
Of course, there's still the matter of the civil case. I hope they make that fat slug sign over his pension.
Is there/will there be a civil suit?
WHAT?????? So what part of the "unprovoked" beating the shit out of small bartender did they not understand on the videotape? Im not a fan of taking justice into one's own hands, but if this woman has any good male friends they should find them sack and give him an anonymous beatdown.
Why not give him his fucking job back with back pay while they're at it?
Why not give him his fucking job back with back pay while they're at it?
Maybe if he'd tortured her at a police station...
Can anybody figure out when Judge Flemming is up for election again?
I wonder if Jody Weiss will insist on a federal trial this time.
Quick Google search: aggregated battery is apparently a class 3 felony, which carries between 2 and 5 years of prison and fines up to $25,000. Probation is an option.
Have not found what the usual sentence is. But my first take on it is that this is a light sentence for Abbate.
It does seem light. Of course we'd have to try to find the average sentence for a first-time offender, which is (almost) always lighter than the average sentence. I assume Abbate is a first-time offender.
I assume Abbate is a first-time offender.
A first time offender??? He was a fucking COP when he did this! Not sure of the exact rules, but there should be no "first time offender" status for a man or woman of the law who clearly violates that law, particularly when off duty. He was given the job to PROTECT people like this bartender, not so he could have free rein to beat the crap out of her.
Equal protection under the law applies in all cases, at least in my mind. There's no reason a judge should treat a cop worse (or better, for that matter) than anyone else coming before him in a trial.
Not true, cops are prohibited from gettting trashed and bars and they are considered on duty at all times
I think they argued that at no point did he make clear he was a cop, so I believe it was just treated as a "regular" case. Don't quote me on that.
Correct. I believe the "misconduct" charges were tossed because of that.
boy this commenting system is awful.
Man, people need to start getting angrier when this shit happens. Any one of us could be a victim next with these police out of control. Nothing is going to change when people just shake their heads and say "that's the way it is in Chicago" when these cops get away with abuse.
I think much of the city was angry about this, and certainly the handful of regular posters here.
What do you recommend we do with our anger, by the way? Beat up cops for revenge?
Not trying to be a smart ass, just curious what you think people should do beyond venting in newspaper letters, making some calls, etc.
What do you think would happen to this guy if they put him, a former policeman, in jail. Maybe he deserves that too, but I'm just sayin that there would be more to a jail sentence than you might think....
That's definitely something a police officer should consider before breaking the law, isn't it?
that's of no concern to me.
The question is what is fair and just. many battery cases end in probation in our court system. This is just another example of that. The cop should not be treated any differently just because he's a cop.
The cop should not be treated any differently just because he's a cop.
When it comes to the facts of the case, I agree with that. When it comes to sentencing, I absolutely don't. When a cop commits a violent crime -- hell, any crime -- he is violating the public trust in a way that the average citizen cannot. It is an honor and a privilege to be a police officer -- to act in a manner beneath that is to betray that honor, and his sentence ought to reflect that.
Boo fucking hoo. Don't beat up women if you're so concerned about going to jail.
He gets the holy hell beat out of him like the pile of excrement he is?
A curfew? Probation? Fucking bullshit. He's on TAPE mercilessly beating a woman about a 1/3 his size for well over a minute.
Fucker should pull hard time and come out with an o-ring the size of the holland tunnel.
Oh, wait, i take everything I wrote back...
a curfew of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for Abbate.
Whew, for a minute there I thought they weren't going to throw the book at him.
There is still a chance that he will do some time. If he breaks probation, he will go to jail. He doesn't seem like the disciplined type....I would wager that he's going to break that probation at some point and his get out of jail free card will be revoked.
The problem with that hope, of course, is that any breaking of probation will have to be prosecuted by his buddies on the force. Not likely.
Does he really still have buddies on the force?
I would have thought that they would all want to stay clear of him after this. Maybe that's just me.
If he still has buddies on the force, then I fear for every law abiding Chicago citizen because that does not say much for the CPD.
That's if another cop arrests him. I can easily see this douche getting pulled over for a DUI and another cop looking turing around and letting him drive away.
The best thing people can do is to make Judge Flemming synonymonous with this case. Get his name out there so when he does come up for re-election, people will remember and vote accordingly. If this guy wasn't on the take, then surely he owed somebody a favor...
Because the judge imposed a sentence lighter than for other similarly-charged defendants he has sentenced?
Because the judge disregarded case law, or made an obvious error in the case?
Listen, by all means, hold all leaders accountable. But make you know what you are holding this guy accountable for.
Finally, if you have evidence that this judge is taking brides or repaying a political or personal favor, you should immediately--as in right now, this very second--contact the proper authorities. If not, you should shut the hell up until you do, as a lack of evidence means there is no "surely," despite how much you would want it so.
Oh God, matilda.
All you have to do is a quick wiki search to find out about sentencing for assault.
There are people who have done less than Abbate and have gotten jail time. Years.
Although, Chris Brown got off without any time for beating the shit out of Rihanna. DMX got off too. So, it's kind of an easy thing to do...assume that all you need is money or a judge on the take when someone can do something so heinous and not get punished.
And, yes, I know...you hate assumptions. But they're part of life and many times they prove to be true.
"Oh God, matilda.
All you have to do is a quick wiki search to find out about sentencing for assault.
There are people who have done less than Abbate and have gotten jail time. Years."
Ok. What is the average sentence for similar crimes in Cook County?
Or, by this specific judge?
Hell if I know, but those are facts you might want before joining the virtual lynch mob and taking off the judge's head.
"There are people" who've done less and gotten more jail time. "There are people" who had more more and gotten less. That is why some people like averages and medians.
Learn to analyze with your brain, not your emotions. Life is so much better than way, Ingrid.
Your pedantry gets to be predictable, but it's annoying yet boring too.
We're only human and we're only commenting on a blog. It kind of helps to vent...doesn't mean we want the judge's head on a platter.
Lots of us are pissed that this oaf beat up a small woman and then walks free. It doesn't seem right....it doesn't feel right. So, if I want to talk smack here on Chicagoist, I'm going to do just that. Your bullying comments about my brain and emotions and how life would be so much better if I just did your way are piss in the wind, matilda.
Wow: You are pissed off. So is everyone. That's boring.
What would be more interesting is taking a colder, more dispassionate view of this, which might yield some insight. Without reviewing any other facts, you've made up your mind about the truth of this matter, which, frankly, is not that all that smart.
But no, you just prefer to vent, and think with your emotions, and bitch about those who'd rather not.
As I said, boring. Predictable. And useless.
"it doesn't feel right."
Who cares about your feelings (or mine, for that matter)? Unless you are Yoda, your feelings are likely faulty and self-serving to the point of being useless (and that little green prick couldn't even figure out that Anakin was playing too much on the dark side, so what good did his feelings do, really?)
"...and that little green prick couldn't even figure out that Anakin was playing too much on the dark side, so what good did his feelings do, really?"
Matilda, I think I just fell in love with you.
Since you're always lecturing about assumptions, I think you should start drinking your own tea.
You have no idea what I do with my time or my life. You do not have a clue about what activism I choose to participate in.
So I waste/kill some time here on Chicagoist...what of it? These are only words on a page.
The first step is to get pissed off...that is the only step that is visible to you.
Beyond that, you have no idea where my words lead me. Lots of cases get solved on just a hunch. This is just an assumption, but it seems to me that you're the type of person who is not really tuned into their emotions, or gut feelings.
(are you an engineer?)
If one didn't have a gut feeling that something was wrong, then how could you even take it to the next level?
"If one didn't have a gut feeling that something was wrong, then how could you even take it to the next level?"
But you stopped at gut feeling and don't seem interesting in even considering that maybe--and I don't know either at this point--Abatte received a sentence no lighter than most charged with similar crimes in Cook Country.
You have stopped at gut feeling and seem to be using it at your only navigational aid.
No. That's where you're wrong. You don't seem to get that this is just a place to blow off steam.
If I were out there in the real world and if I were to actually try and do something about this..of course I would be searching and studying and getting every possible detail I could to present my case.
But since this was posted on Chicagoist just a short time ago, and I am busy multi-tasking (and doing none of the tasks well I might add), all I have the energy to do right now is spout off.
But feel free to take the time yourself to gather every pertinent detail about this judge and how he sentences for violent crimes, and compare them with other similar crimes in Chicago. Post a link to your spread sheets and data and then we will all be more educated and will be able to think more clearly on this case.
Yet you argue against even thinking about context, and bitch at me for doing so.
Can't have it both ways, sweetie.
I'm actually arguing because you don't seem to get that this is only a blog full of words.
If I wanted to take this further, of course I would gather the necessary details.
But if you want to post the details on this blog, I would gladly read them. If you can find that the judge sentences every oaf who commits a violent assault on a small person in this same lenient manner, even then...what of it?
Would that make it ok in matildaland?
"Compared to my sense of justice."
Who cares about your sense of justice? What does it matter? Are you a judge? Do you have any power in the courtroom?
"Compared to my sense that if this defendant was anyone other than a cop, he'd be in Cook County Jail this afternoon."
You keep talking about 'sense', as though it means anything. You don't know if the above statement is true. There are many defendants who have faced heavier charges who don't end up in County. Don't believe me: Go to court sometime, or do some research. Yes, you can sit in on criminal court. That's what the 'public' in public trial means. Just bring a cushion for your butt.
"Hell, if this was a black teenager, he'd be on a bus to Stateville. Oh sorry, if it was a black teenager, there would not have been a continuance, and he'd already be in Stateville."
Like those black teenagers who allegedly killed that cop a few weeks ago, and who repeatedly were released from jail even though they had used guns, a far more serious crime? Wanna try again?
God, can you seriously look at that man beating that woman like a fucking animal and think that he does not need to be locking a cage for a good long time?
I know you want to play the false dichotomy, but a man who would do that to a woman should not be walking free. A nighty-night curfew? Counseling? That's insane.
This is a high profile case, this is a case where a judge could have sent a clear message about violence against women and criminal behavior by cops. It's why judges get discretion. They weigh the factors of the case.
This judge sent a message, loud and clear. You can beat a woman, on tape, with witnesses. You can offer the most feeble excuse ("She was attacking me!") and get off with a slap and a tickle.
No. This is not someone who should be on the bench.
This is an outrage. A violent offender is on the street. I hope one of the papers picks this judge's history apart. I wonder how many drug offenders got jail time?
Now argue the other side and talk yourself into a corner like you always do. Don't be an idiot, for once.
"God, can you seriously look at that man beating that woman like a fucking animal and think that he does not need to be locking a cage for a good long time?"
That is not the fucking point, and my concerns and personal feelings don't matter here.
You are all ready to have this judge's head on a platter without knowing shit about previous sentences for similar crimes. That is my only fucking point. You are all ready to judge without knowing all the facts or all the context. That's the mentality of people easily manipulated and controlled.
Perhaps this dog turd Abbatte got off far more easily than others. Perhaps he did not. But neither you nor I know that, and it seems more than a bit ignorant to get in lynch-mob mode without some basic fucking facts, don't you think?
"This judge sent a message, loud and clear. You can beat a woman, on tape, with witnesses. You can offer the most feeble excuse ("She was attacking me!") and get off with a slap and a tickle."
Maybe, but this is also a county where judges give probation or other very light sentences to people who commit gun crimes, and do so repeatedly. Look it up. Seriously, go look up the court records, do some research. It's not that hard once you get the hang of the system. So, let's at least pretend there might be some fucking context here, OK?
I am not saying any of this is right--I wish Abbatte recieved a harsher sentence, believe me-- only that you might want to consider facts and logic along with your cheap emotions.
"Now argue the other side and talk yourself into a corner like you always do. Don't be an idiot, for once."
Yeah, because it sucks so fucking much to try to consider other angles, right, or to entertain at least for a half-second that you might not know everything about this case? That's really so bad, huh? Give me a fucking break.
And if the video is what closes the case 100% for you, then I suggest we just give over our judicial system to YouTube, then.
Please, you're DEFENDING a violent cop being allowed to walk free on "the angles". Again and again, you're massaging nuance just to spin bullshit into gold.
Yeah, let me go do some research to answer Matilda the Chicagoist trolls usual bullshit argument of "have you considered all the possibilities, even the ones I'm making up simply because I can't possibly be wrong or misinformed."
Your "arguments" on here are just you moving the goalposts, building straw men and then challenging everyone to do their homework and prove you wrong.
You're a pedant defending a thug sentenced by a putz.
What a champ.
I leave you to Navin. He seems to enjoy slapping you around.
"Please, you're DEFENDING a violent cop being allowed to walk free on "the angles""
No, I'm not. Do you really not get my point?
"Yeah, let me go do some research to answer Matilda the Chicagoist trolls usual bullshit argument of "have you considered all the possibilities, even the ones I'm making up simply because I can't possibly be wrong or misinformed.""
Because looking past your own belly button is such bullshit, right?
And you pretend to be so fucking enlightened here so often.
TO REVIEW:
1, You are all pissed because of the light sentence. So am I.
2. Yet no one seems to give one shit about this basic question: Is the sentence really that light compared to other cases involving the same charge?
Don't change the argument about how I supposedly want this guy to walk free. I never stated that, and you are a rather unskilled liar for saying I did.
I get your point, but human beings tend to be emotional creatures. When one sees this article, it provokes an emotional response. That emotional response tends to be the most immediate response for people. People are writing in the moment of this initial response. Certainly, people are entitled to an emotional reaction, especially since cooler heads usually prevail after some time has passed. To watch that video and see the brutality of the beating and then to see that no jail time will be served is mind boggling.
As for your point about gun crimes, I agree they should be punished appropriately, and I am well aware of how deadly guns can be. But it is almost more disturbing to see and contemplate the rage and the indifference to human life that it takes to beat someone this badly with your bare hands. The damage and force of your actions are so much more tangible than pulling a trigger. I know that according to the law a crime involving a weapon is more severe, but the disregard for human life is just as present in a crime like this.
"No, I'm not. Do you really not get my point?"
You have one? All I saw was some rambling about case law and how we should do research and the usual chiding everyone for not thinking out all the possibilities. The paralysis of possibility. Just sit with your hands folded.
"Because looking past your own belly button is such bullshit, right?"
Look at the TAPE. The TAPE of a 250 gorilla beating a woman into the ground.
"And you pretend to be so fucking enlightened here so often."
What this has to do with a man walking free after savagely, drunkenly beating a woman is beyond me. He broke the social contract and his punishment is more an annoyance than a deterrent.
"1, You are all pissed because of the light sentence. So am I."
Bully for you.
"2. Yet no one seems to give one shit about this basic question: Is the sentence really that light compared to other cases involving the same charge?"
Judges don't do averages. They have sentencing discretion and guidelines. Here's his justification
"If I believed sentencing Anthony Abbate to prison would stop people from getting drunk and hitting people, I'd give him the maximum sentence,"
That's OUTRAGEOUS. That literally spits in the face of the deterrence principle of sentencing. Putting Abbate in prison sends a clear message. That a badge isn't a get out fo jail free card. That off-duty cops aren't above the law. And yeah, maybe a drunk won't go over the bar when he gets cut off if he hears that a COP got 5 years for doing it.
"Don't change the argument about how I supposedly want this guy to walk free. I never stated that, and you are a rather unskilled liar for saying I did."
Oh poor you.
2. Yet no one seems to give one shit about this basic question: Is the sentence really that light compared to other cases involving the same charge?
A case like this can have many outcomes depending on who is being charged, how much money they have to pay for their defense, what relatives they have with "pull" etc. Surely you know this?
"This is an outrage. A violent offender is on the street."
lol.
you live in Cook County. If every violent offender on the street outrages you, you must have little time to do anything else but be outraged.
You're one of those "crazy cat ladies," aren't you?
I think this incident will be a good litmus test to see how much Cook County voters pay attention. I know I won't vote for him.
Wow. Did anyone honestly think that he was going to get more than a little slap on the wrist??
I thought he would get 3-6 months.
Wow.
I think I can accept a curfew, anger management and alcohol counseling. Sorta.
BUT only 130 hours of community service? Make it so that he has no free time to beat up bartenders.
Wow.
That's what the Chicago Bar Association wrote about Fleming in 2008. I believe judicial terms are 6 years. So, we have 5 years to cool down. But if Fleming runs again in 5 years, I'd be willing to run ads that remind Chicago voters of this sentence and ask them to vote against Fleming's retention. This light sentence is bullshit.
"This light sentence is bullshit."
Compared to what?
Yes, it's crap, but if--and I don't know--the sentence is pretty standard, then exactly how high should the judge have hoisted the severed head of this dog-turd defendant, and how much height should have been added because of simple outrage?
Come on, people, specifics ... anger is just childish rage without specifics.
Compared to my sense of justice.
Compared to my sense that if this defendant was anyone other than a cop, he'd be in Cook County Jail this afternoon.
Hell, if this was a black teenager, he'd be on a bus to Stateville. Oh sorry, if it was a black teenager, there would not have been a continuance, and he'd already be in Stateville.
Hell, if this was a black teenager, he'd be on a bus to Stateville. Oh sorry, if it was a black teenager, there would not have been a continuance, and he'd already be in Stateville.
you make me laugh. Please read this article about Judge Bertina Lampkin: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-valadez-07-jun07,0,4399259.column
Are you serious? You honestly think that's the rule and not the exception?
People seem to think probation sentences are a rare treat in Cook County. You are very wrong about that. And its well known that black teenagers are often given probation, even if they don't actually deserve it.
No shit. It's like no one's ever read anything about Cook County Criminal Court, or ever sat in such a court to observe, or ever read about general trends in sentencing, or any evaluations of judges, or done anything beyond bitch about this guy.
Instead, it's YouTube justice: Hey, I saw some video, so therefore I know everything.
While you're running ads against Flemming, please also encourage the public to vote against Judge Bertina Lampkin.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-valadez-07-jun07,0,4399259.column
Justice is blind ... except when we watch it on TV.
If only he had been a otherwise harmless but caught with some chronic, then Mark Kirk could be crusading about sending him away for 25 years.
Then he would have been at Taco Bell beating up the workers for not putting enough cheese on his gordita.
Matilda, I hate your argument, however correct it is, because you're doing the same thing. Give me specific instances that say this isn't a light sentence; that many other cases that have similar circumstances are handed down a sentence of probation. You’re asking for other evidence, please show some yourself.
I know you haven’t said “this isn’t a light sentence”, you even said that you believe it is, but people are just venting. You seem to love to get into a Chicagoist internet fights.
"I know you haven’t said “this isn’t a light sentence”, you even said that you believe it is, but people are just venting."
So what? Venting is easy. Putting this into a possible context is harder.
I don't have the stats. Maybe the Trib will have some insight later. Hell if I know. But I do know that people convicted of more serious crimes than this have gotten off pretty easily, too--and through various other judges.
But don't fucking argue that one is defending this dog-turd just because one refuses to take part in this superficial lynch-mob mentality.
superficial lynch-mob mentality.
People are justifiably angry, I think maybe some are just now getting a rude awakening as to how justice works for some as opposed to others. In my case it angers me because it reminds me how you can get many *years* for some non-violent crimes and probation for something as brutal and open and shut as this.
I won't speculate about how lenient or not the judge was given what he was allowed to do within the sentencing guidelines.
But do I understand why people are pissed off? Hell yes.
oh oh.....don't say "for something as brutal and open and shut as this" in front of matilda!
Heh heh...here we go again!
I didn't argue that you were defending him. In fact, I said that you thought it was a light sentence, because you previously wrote that.
Oh course venting is easy, no one said it wasn't, I was stating that that is just what people were doing.
I know tone is difficult, if not impossible, to determine when writing over the interwebs but it seems like you mostly have a confrontational style when posting. Sometimes it's humorous, other times annoying. To each his/her own.
I'm off, have a nice day.
I read through most of this with interest. I think I agree with both sides, in a way.
On one hand, I am a huge fan of cold, dispassionate analysis of all situations, and in that regard I applaud what matilda is trying to do (knowing, incidentally, that she would have personally preferred a harsher sentence).
On the other hand, even when I enter calculating robot mode, I think jess_nevins is very right about the judge sending a very poor message with this ruling. He had an opportunity to set a precedent (or perhaps work to reverse a long-built undesirable precedent), but failed to do so. Even if the intent was just to preserve the sentencing status quo, and all observers had perfect knowledge of this, his message is still, at best, "go ahead and commit violent crime, nobody else in the past has really gotten in much trouble so you won't either". That's not a very good situation.
Jeff, the Judge has STRONG family ties with the Police Department. The playing field was never even in this case as no way in hell was he going to trash one of his own.
I think what really bothers me about this is imagining what the victim must be going through. Here a cop has been convicted of brutally beating her in a very high profile case, he will likely lose his job, and he may or may not still have friends on the force. But he will be out on the streets. I would imagine she is not feeling particularly safe right now.
I think punishment for crimes is important in trying to prevent crimes, but what about the more immediately value in keeping victims and the general public safe from violent offenders. (and yes, i am aware that there are many violent offenders on the streets right now. but seeing it all play out in a case like this is just a very vivid reminder)
From what I gathered from the Trib article, it sounds like she is suffering from PTSD.
I also cannot believe that, when given the chance to make a statement, this oaf chose to stay mum. It is unbelievable that he did not apologize to her. Unfuckingbelievable.
Even more unfuckingbelievable is the judge's reasoning for not putting him in jail. It makes no sense. Because if it were the case, then he shouldn't put ANYONE in jail.
I really hope that this judge gets deluged with emails and letters. What a complete idiot.
Yes, it does sound like she has PTSD.
Unfortunately, this ruling may send or reinforce a message to victims. Cases like this teach victims (and witnesses) that there is little or no point to reporting a crime.
It's too bad they could not prosecute for the other two assault the prosecutor says he committed that day.
As long as images of individuals are becoming symbols of things, this monkey felcher should be the symbol of police thuggery.
Are the "good cops" upset at all about this?
"All we have to do is show our badges, and it is automatically the other guys' fault." - Off duty NW suburban police officer, after being involved in a fight in a bar/club.
"Are the "good cops" upset at all about this?"
Yeah...I have to wonder about that too. Every now and then I peek at the second city cop blog and there certainly is enough complaining on it, but from what I've seen, no mention of this pig and his actions.
I know so many young kids that have a hatred for cops that is just beyond anything I've ever seen. When all cops protect the bad ones, that doesn't do much for their PR...especially with the youth. And to be honest, it doesn't help with my perception of them either.
Actually the one you mentioned did post something:
http://secondcitycop.blogspot.com/2009/06/two-years-probation.html
Thanks. That must have posted like 15 minutes after I checked the site out.
I feel that it's a pretty lame statement though. He did admit that Abbate should never have been hired, but he uses the phrase 'police haters are out in force' almost as a defense...as if to undermine the apathy that many feel, and rightfully so, towards the police. It's almost like he's saying "Yeah. It happened. It was shitty. Deal with it."
Someone, somewhere, somehow should at least find a way to use the word 'apology' or 'sorry'...the defensive tone of his post was really arrogant and off-putting to me.
It was the political structure that permitted this aberration to occur, not the men and women who serve and protect honorably day in and day out.
I'll refrain from making any historical comparisons to very similar comments.......
...and now the smart money is on Abbate NOT losing his job. Anyone that doesn't believe this, I have two questions:
Whatcha smokin'?
Where kin ah git some?
And Ingrid, he did not apologize to that foreigner because he saw NOTHING that he did wrong, she was the one who refused to serve him, after all. Judge Fleming felt exactly the same way!
So let's leave the gut alone, already.
I don't know.
Here's a quote from the Tribune story:
"The police department is seeking to have Abbate fired, and the Independent Police Review Authority has recommended that he be dismissed, according to Supt. Jody Weis. The case is up before the Police Board on July 7."
Well, smart money don't win ALL the time. Let's see where the wheel of fortune spins on this one.
Judge John J. Fleming is up for re-election in the year 2014. An election was just held in 2008. Their term is for six years.
http://cookcountyjudges.com/retentionprocess.html
Let's hope this doesn't blow over and that people remember to vote him out. I don't agree with this judge's decision making ability. The newspapers should post a countdown like they do regarding the county taxes and the countdown to re-election.
This is really the last straw! I am so sick of the Chicago Police doing whatever they want to whomever they want. They are nothing but a bunch of thugs with guns. Just because they have a badge they think they can do anything they want to the citizens. I am also extremely sick of the judges who let them of all the time! But this judge really takes the CAKE! Letting that big fat slug off for beating a tiny little woman because she was doing her job. If that would have been anyone else doing the beating, they would be in jail by now - especially if it was a black person. This city and the police force are so CORRUPT. Let's do something about this people. I will definitley remember this judge when re-election comes up. I am going to work with the Women's group who plan on offing him. He really is a disgrace to the bench!!!