Chicago and police officers lose case and $7.7 million for false arrest

[Knimrod]

Chicago and police officers lose case and $7.7 million for false arrest
Woman pulled cop from wrecked car in 2002, but police said she stole service weapon
June 12, 2008
Monique Garcia and David Heinzmann
Chicago Tribune

A trained nurse, Rachelle Jackson immediately ran toward the sound of the crash. A Chicago police car had collided with another vehicle and was starting to smoke, two officers still inside. Fearing an explosion, she quickly pulled one officer from the passenger side.She never imagined her act of kindness nearly six years ago would land her in jail for more than 10 months on charges that she robbed, battered and disarmed a peace officer.

Jackson filed a lawsuit, and on Thursday a federal jury found against the city and several Chicago police officers, awarding Jackson $7.7 million for false arrest, malicious prosecution, coercive questioning and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

"I'm going to go home and lie down for a little bit," an ecstatic Jackson, 41, said after the verdict. "I feel relieved. I'm happy, and I'm thanking God."

The case began in November 2002, when a car ran a stop sign in Jackson's neighborhood, slamming into the squad car. Jackson was walking nearby and rushed to the scene. When she arrived, the officer behind the wheel was unconscious and the passenger, Officer Kelly Brogan, was dazed.

She pulled Brogan from the wreckage and helped her to a nearby stoop. Soon after, police approached Jackson and told her that the driver's weapon had been stolen. When she was asked to go to the police station for questioning, she thought it was as a witness to the accident.

Instead, Jackson was accused of the theft. 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. Jackson sued the city, Brogan and the two interrogation officers in 2003.

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.

He also questioned Jackson's intentions when she pulled the officer from the car.

"The officer said [Jackson] came at her, tried to get her gun and put her in a full-Nelson hold," Hale said. "I'm disappointed the jury could think that would be a legitimate rescue technique."

But Jackson's attorneys said it was clear she was trying to help the officer, not harm her.

"This was an innocent woman who saved a police officer from a burning car," said Chris Smith, who tried the case with Dan Alexander. "There were many heroes out there who helped the police, but they all turned into suspects because some guy ran away with the gun."

Link to story

[Made_in_Michigan]

Chicago and police officers lose case and $7.7 million for false arrest
Woman pulled cop from wrecked car in 2002, but police said she stole service weapon
June 12, 2008
Monique Garcia and David Heinzmann
Chicago Tribune



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

I wonder if we put ol' Andrew Hale in a Chicago jail for 10 months for a false charge, would undergoing the abuses he would endure be worth 7.7million? I bet he would ask for more.

[sandwichking2]

good ol Crook County. almost moved there, thank god i don't live in IL nor plan to in the future. I have heard sooo many bad stories about that county.

[Astrogiblet]

Hmm.. I'd love to side with the would-be savior.. but at the same time.. this quote really really bothers me:

"The officer said [Jackson] came at her, tried to get her gun and put her in a full-Nelson hold," Hale said. "I'm disappointed the jury could think that would be a legitimate rescue technique."

-Brandon

[Roger Roney]

Hmm.. I'd love to side with the would-be savior.. but at the same time.. this quote really really bothers me: .....

Why should it bother you? To me, it appears as a complete fabrication intended to make Jackson look bad in a lousy attempt to protect fellow officers and their employer, (city,) from liability.

Roger

[Norton]

There isn't a lot of difference between a full nelson and a reasonable
grab to drag someone. It will depend on perspective. If you’re the prosecutor
it would be a full nelson. It would be interesting to read a description of the accident, positions of the officers after impact and any witness statements.
Also, the officer's statement if she was able to give one.
I have no doubt that robbing the PO could be a real possibility. I do have
reservations the correct party was charged.
I had a professor who used to say "Law is the only field where facts change."
Norton

[Made_in_Michigan]

Well, if she did run up & steal the gun, and then was detained, never left the scene, and was taken to the station...> Where has she been hiding his gun for the past 12 months... ?!? They should have figured this out there on the scene that she wasn't the bad guy.

[majorbman]

I have a carry premit and I think it is just as important to have a good lawyer on call. I had one but I tried calling him at a strange time and he did not answer. You never know when you will need a lawyer.

[KayL]

I have a carry premit and I think it is just as important to have a good lawyer on call. I had one but I tried calling him at a strange time and he did not answer. You never know when you will need a lawyer.

Jim isn't doing anything... keep his card handy. (That's a joke, son.) He's our resident lawyer on the Leagle Beagle section. There are several others who contribute to this site also.

[IMG]

[remingtoncountry]

The fact that she was arrested at the scene WITHOUT the weapon in hand should tell any intelligent person only one thing. The police are LYING to protect themselves, this is certainly nothing new. The police & the DA's office have commited far more crimes than the citizens. They commit acts like this on a daily basis. We pay their salaries and they lie and create false evidence to convict INNOCENT people of crimes which never occured. It's time we WAKE UP! Who's policing the police & the DA? They are self regulated, WHAT A JOKE! No wonder corruption is rampant! We just sit idly by and try to make reason out of insanity, Just pray that you're not the next victim!