The "Jefferson Tap Three" are acquitted. (Chicago: live in, professionals)

[Drover]

This should have been a slam-dunk conviction. Either the DA is a complete retard or the judge is on the take.

Jefferson tap: Judge clears 3 Chicago police officers in 2006 fight at Jefferson tap -- chicagotribune.com

[surlycue]

Saw that in the Trib this morning. I'd wager the judge has some friends in high places who wanted to make this whole thing go away.

[scottl333]

Yea ok. How many normal people get charged with aggravated battery for getting in a bar fight???? Yea right NONE. This whole indictment was a joke. How it made it to trial is beyond me. Seems like a police witch hunt to me. How many bar fights even result in convictions, let alone arrest??? Those guys just wanted to get their millions from the city. They weren't even hurt in the fight.

[Drover]

It got to trial because there was videotape of these thugs walking up and beating the hell out of people who were clearly not being aggressive in any way. And I promise you that anyone who draws a gun before starting a bar brawl is going to get charged with aggravated battery.

[mh7]

Originally Posted by scottl333

Yea ok. How many normal people get charged with aggravated battery for getting in a bar fight???? Yea right NONE. This whole indictment was a joke. How it made it to trial is beyond me. Seems like a police witch hunt to me. How many bar fights even result in convictions, let alone arrest??? Those guys just wanted to get their millions from the city. They weren't even hurt in the fight.

You can't really be serious? How often do responding patrol cars get waved off during bar fights?

Those clowns belong in jail.

I suppose you think that other cop who beat up that bartender on video was innocent as well...I mean that was a fight in a bar too, right?

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by mh7

You can't really be serious? How often do responding patrol cars get waved off during bar fights?

To me, this part was much worse than the fight itself--and is indicative of some larger problems with the department that MUST be addressed. They need to ditch the fraternity bull**** and start acting like professionals.

[long101]

Im surprised there hasnt been an up roar yet. I heard the judge said that the injured people exaggerated their injuries to get more $... Well wtf does that matter they were still punched and beaten. I dont understand what could of happend for them not to be convicted. You saw them punching people that werent fighting back...

[Lookout Kid]

The fact that we live in a city where it's entirely feasible that the police and judge in this instance are both corrupt is a sad testament. If Jodi Weis isn't strong enough to clean this **** up, get someone else who is. The police chief needs the ability to stand up to Daley, and that isn't possible without making the post completely independent from mayoral hiring. But it's not like we can turn to the Aldermen or the State to do a better job.

[doublenickels]

It was a bench trial. Trial by a judge, not jury. Traditionally, in Chicago, with the right lawyer, who finds a "good" judge, you are pretty certain to walk out free. You know about the Specter case in L.A.? Phil Specter got convicted. In Cook County, Illinois, there is about an 85% chance, he would still be a free man. They call it the "judicial system". But, what they really do in Cook County, is "handle" things.

Originally Posted by Drover

This should have been a slam-dunk conviction. Either the DA is a complete retard or the judge is on the take.

Jefferson tap: Judge clears 3 Chicago police officers in 2006 fight at Jefferson tap -- chicagotribune.com

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by doublenickels

...You know about the Specter case in L.A.? Phil Specter got convicted...

He did not get convicted the first time.