We mentioned last week that an off-duty police officer was accused of attacking a CTA bus driver. The bus driver, Ricardo Mendoza, has filed a lawsuit against the city and the officer, Sgt. Thomas O'Grady, for damages over $1 million. WBBM 780 has more information on the story and CBS 2 has the surveillance footage of the attack.
Video Of Attack On CTA Bus Driver Released
Abbate Attorney: It Was Self-Defense (UPDATED)
Before we continue with the post, we invite you to first re-watch the surveillance tape video that's been repeatedly shown across the country over the last 2+ years.
Abbate Trial (Finally) Gets Underway
The case of a Chicago Police officer who was caught on tape beating a Chicago bartender finally gets underway today. 12-year CPD vet Anthony Abbate stands accused in the February 2007 beating of Karolina Obrycka at Jesse's Short Stop Inn, a beating that was caught by the bar's surveillance camera. Abbate allegedly attacked Obrycka after she refused to continue serving him drinks. If this is the first you've heard of the case in a while, it's because the presiding judge, Circuit Judge John J. Fleming, issued a gag order in the case last May. Abbate faces 15 felony counts of aggravated battery in a public place, communication with a witness, intimidation, conspiracy and official misconduct which could add up to five years in jail if convicted

