Officer in alleged beating of bartender pleads not guilty - Alleged? Its on videotape

[NNN0LHI]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IL_POLICE_BEATINGS_ILOL-?SITE=ILKAN&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

CHICAGO (AP) -- A Chicago police officer pleaded not guilty Wednesday to beating a female bartender and threatening to arrest bar employees and customers on trumped up charges to keep a videotape of the alleged incident from being turned over to investigators.

In a brief hearing, Anthony Abbate's attorney entered not guilty pleas to all 15 felony counts of aggravated battery, official misconduct, intimidation, conspiracy and communicating with a witness.

"He's pleading not guilty because he is not guilty," Peter Hickey told reporters after the hearing. "And we expect at the end, the conclusion of the trial, that that's what the outcome will be."

The charges stem from an alleged beating on Feb. 19 at a tavern on Chicago's northwest side that occurred after the bartender, Karolina Obrycka, apparently refused to serve the off-duty officer any more drinks.

Videotape from a surveillance camera in the tavern shows a man police say is the 250-pound Abbate punching, beating and throwing the 115-pound Obrycka to the floor.

[Taverner]

1. Legal speak - innocent until proven guilty, remember?

Since he hasn't seen trial, we assume he is innocent (even thought we've all seen what will be used as evidence) until the prosecution proves differently.

[donco6]

2. He's obviously not too bright.

And neither is his attorney.

[Norquist Nemesis]

14. Unless he and his attorney firmly believe "the force" is with them

(which didn't play too well the first time around when he showed up at the courthouse)

[Mabus]

3. It's called "due process"

It is alleged that he committed assault until he goes before a court of law and is convicted.

[Bjornsdotter]

4. Who are you going to believe?

....some video tape and your lying eyes or the officer. Sheesh, I couldn't believe the lawyer acted like it was a travesty that the cop was even charged.

Cheers

[Richard Steele]

7. GMTA! You type faster than I. nm

[Richard Steele]

5. Who you gonna believe, a lowbrow bullying thug with a badge... or your lying EYES?

Betcha a nickel he gets off scott free. Any takers?

[Bjornsdotter]

11. Great minds!

:toast: :toast:

[merh]

17. Sure, I'll take that bet.

The system isn't perfect, but even bad cops that beat folks get time. Ask Timothy Edward Wind and Theodore Joseph Briseno, two former Los Angeles police officers. BTW, not all cops are bad or are low brow bullying thugs.

:hi:

[Richard Steele]

19. Cool beans! *thumbsup*

Just in case I lose: what sort of nickel would you like?

[merh]

20. why a wooden one, of course

:silly:

:thumbsup:

[Richard Steele]

21. Of course. nm

[Gidney N Cloyd]

18. I'd say the mood in Chicago at the moment, including the PD, is to convict him.

Not long ago, though, I'd have agreed he walks.

[MidwestTransplant]

6. Uh that wasn't me, it was my twin brother who I have never seen, met or knew I had.

[Robb]

16. Yes. Note the distinctive "evil" twin goatee.

I rest my case, your honor. :D

[Norquist Nemesis]

8. Oh, sure! It was HER fault. The little woman should have known

better than to tell a man twice her size, "No."

:sarcasm:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

9. Silly NNNOLHI. it was SELF DEFENSE. duh.

I mean really. Those bartenders in Chicago have a great left hook.

[MADem]

10. But....but...but...it COULDA been a vigorous Swedish massage!!!!

Or a game of slap and tickle gone wrong!!!!

[MrSlayer]

12. Real tough guy there, beating on a woman.

He must be a real prize when he's on duty. Throw the book at this guy.

[SteppingRazor]

13. Like a couple people said already, this is a legal necessity for newspapers

Suspects are alleged to have committed a crime until they have been convicted of it, regardless of the preponderance of evidence.

[PCIntern]

15. I saw that on CNN about 682 times...

He didn't lay a hand on her...it was all tricks with the videotape and anyway she asked for it...see what she was wearing? And she was in a bar no less!! That's what happens when you hang out in a bar...'you people' better get this straight!

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