Wow, just when you thought Chicago police couldn't stink any worse ...
In 2002, a nurse named Rachelle Jackson was walking along when she spotted a crash involving a police cruiser and a civilian car. One of the officers was dazed, the other was passed out, and Jackson was worried the car might catch fire. So she pulled an officer from the wreck, the Tribune reports.
When one officer's gun turned up missing later, police accused Jackson of stealing it. Snip:
She was held for two days with little food and water and was threatened with violence until she agreed to sign a statement police had prepared for her. She was then charged and spent more than 10 months in the Cook County Jail awaiting trial.
Her case was later thrown out by a Circuit Court judge.
Now? She's won a $7.7 million lawsuit. The defense, of course, is being gracious and owning up to its mistake.
Defense attorney Andrew Hale said the amount the jury awarded Jackson was "excessive" and that he would file post-trial motions to have the amount reduced.
Sometimes I just can't find the words.
Posted by: Tom K | Friday, June 13, 2008 at 05:25 PM
I wish I was surprised. I get so disillusioned.
Posted by: kay | Friday, June 13, 2008 at 09:50 PM
I will bet that she doesn't do that for a Chicago cop again.
Posted by: Tom K | Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 02:01 AM
Just to think they could have charged her for NOT helping. A word of advise, dont get caught up in the legal system. Imagine if she didn't have a decent lawyer and she was convicted. 7.7M sounds like a lot.. i'm sure her lawyers will get a nice chunk of it. So say 3Million for the aggeravation of trying to save a cops life and getting arrested for it and losing 10 months of your life in pure Hell for doing something that was heroic?
Heh, wonder why i dont trust law enforcement or prosecuting attorneys (who are just looking to better their career rather than looking for the truth). Seems to me that there is some corruption here that warrants an investigation.
Posted by: Unbelievable | Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 11:37 AM
What happened to her was horrible, but she'll be justly compensated. Plus, she'll get the benefit of great media exposure unlike the normal riff raff railroaded by our justice system.
And folks like in2ropin wonder why cops have such a bad rep.
Posted by: Marvin | Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 06:05 PM
cops have a bad rap because they earn them. just like the good ones earn respect.
Posted by: kay | Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 07:05 PM