Judge Finds Jefferson Tap Cops Not Guilty

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Apr 28, 2009 9:00PM

Circuit Judge Thomas V. Gainer Jr. has found three police officers accused of beating a group of men outside Jefferson Tap Bar and Grille not guilty. The policeman - Sgt. Jeffery Planey and Officers Gregory Barnes and Paul Powers - stood accused of beating several men outside the bar in December 2006. Part of the scuffle was caught on a surveillance camera, but only one of the officers is visible on the tape.

According to Chicago Breaking News:

Prosecutors had alleged the officers jumped brothers Barry and Aaron Gilfand and two of their friends as they played pool. When police showed up at the bar, the off-duty officers felt they wouldn't be held accountable because Planey formerly worked in the district, Assistant State's Atty. Lauren Freeman said in closing arguments.

Attorneys for the officers said the attack was provoked by the alleged victims mocking Powers for crying over the recent death of his father. They contended the Gilfands exaggerated their injuries and altered their accounts of that night to boost their chances at winning a lot of money in their pending federal lawsuit against the officers and the city.

When reading the verdict, Judge Gainer said, "After doing all of that, I have come to the conclusion that the state has failed to meet its burden in the charges against these men."