Beating in wheelchair by Chicago cop leads to federal indictment

[flashl]

A Chicago police officer was indicted this week on a federal charge of violating the civil rights of a man beaten while handcuffed to a wheelchair, an incident that was caught on videotape.

A federal grand jury indicted William Cozzi, 50, on one count of violating the man's civil rights during an arrest at a Chicago hospital in August 2005, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Cozzi will be arraigned at a later date.

"Every citizen, regardless of being in police custody, has a constitutional right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by law enforcement officers," U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald said in a statement.

Cozzi pleaded guilty last year to misdemeanor battery in Cook County Circuit Court for the beating and was given 18 months' probation and ordered to undergo anger management classes.

Chicago Tribune

[0007]

1. This is hope? I bet other nations look at the U.S. & pass on the idea

that this is the greatest place to live.

[flashl]

2. And, they really need to stay away from SC ...

See: New videos show SC troopers kicking, hitting suspects

[emperor124]

3. misdemeanor battery?

and 18 months probation? Geez, if a civilian got video taped doing this they would get a far worse punishment. Police officers who do this should get an even higher sentence as they're the one's supposedly protecting us.

[TPaine7]

5. How about felony assault?

That's what you or I would get.

And shouldn't police be held to a higher standard? Judges assume they are saints with pristine motives, so when they are caught shouldn't they really pay the price?

[OKthatsIT]

4. I dont trust U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald

Whenever he's involved, it's usually to 'stall' of deflect evidence from the case.

Why is he on this case, anyway?