Bartender Reacts To Abbate's Sentence

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jun 24, 2009 5:00PM

Yesterday, Chicago Police officer Anthony Abbate was sentenced to two years of probation, a forced curfew, anger management classes, alcohol evaluation and 130 hours of community service for the February 2007 beating of bartender Karolina Obrycka which was caught on tape and broadcast around the world.

But what of Obrycka, the beating victim? She spoke to the Chicago Tribune yesterday after the sentencing and doesn't feel any better now that Abbate has been found guilty and given a slap on the wrist. Said Obrycka, "I haven't worked anywhere. I'm afraid something else will happen. If I ever go back to bartending, the owners would have to be there all the time. I'm not comfortable working by myself." Obrycka also expressed a fear of police, saying, "I have a fear of the police. I know they don't want to hurt me, but I have a fear. I can't explain it." And though Obrycka was "disappointed" by the lack of jail time for Abbate, she expressed more anger at a lack of apology. And according to the Tribune, Abbate's attorney, Peter Hickey, continued to place the onus on Obrycka, claiming - as he had before - Abbate was acting in self-defense.

What of Abbate's future with the CPD? The Abbate case was one of several that resulted in Jody Weis becoming the new CPD superintendent and it seems Weis is intent on making an example of Abbate. The Independent Police Review Authority has recommended dismissal and Weis himself said yesterday, "I don't think anyone who behaves like that should be a police officer." We'll find on July 7th when the case comes before the Police Review Board. The Board was awaiting the conclusion of the criminal trial before proceeding with any decision.

As a commenter pointed out below, the Reader's Whet Moser - who is always worth a read - has an interesting rundown of the Abbate sentence.