Chicago again: No jail time for brutal cop

The video is horrifying. It's lucky the victim survived. The cop is quite simply a dangerous animal who needs to be put down

The videotape of an off-duty Chicago police officer beating up a female bartender half his size was seen on the internet around the world. Now Anthony Abbate, 40, has been sentenced to two years probation and anger management classes for the attack on Karolina Obrycka. Judge John Fleming also gave Abbate a home curfew of 8pm to 6am and ordered him to do 130 hours of community service.

Prosecutors and Ms Obrycka said they were disappointed with the sentence. Her attorney, Terry Ekl, said he expected the lawsuit Ms Obrycka filed against Abbate and city to go to trial this year. "No one in recent memory ... has done more to tarnish the reputation of the Chicago Police Department than Anthony Abbate," Cook County Assistant State's Attorney LuAnn Snow said.

Prosecutors had asked for prison for Abbate - he could have been sentenced to up to five years behind bars - but the judge said he didn't see aggravating factors to justify a prison term. The judge said Abbate had a clean record before the incident, did not seriously injure the bartender, and underwent alcohol rehabilitation "and has not had a relapse". "If I believed sentencing Anthony Abbate to prison would stop people from getting drunk and hitting people, I'd give him the maximum sentence," Fleming said.

Earlier this month, the judge rejected Abbate's claim he acted in self-defence and convicted him of aggravated battery. A tavern security video shows a drunken Abbate punching and kicking Ms Obrycka as she tended the bar in February 2007. The altercation happened after she refused to serve him more drinks.

The video received a lot of attention as it was seen as another example of misconduct by Chicago police. Then-Superintendent Phil Cline suddenly announced his retirement shortly after the video surfaced and former FBI official Jody Weis was appointed to the spot with an order to clean up the department's image.

Abbate acknowledged during the trial that he was drunk during the incident. But he said Ms Obrycka pushed him first as she tried to remove him from behind the bar.

Ms Obrycka said during the hearing that she continues to suffer psychological wounds, often has nightmares and has trouble trusting people, including her husband.

Abbate declined comment as he walked out of the courtroom holding his girlfriend's hand. "He's not a bad man, he did something bad," said his defence attorney, Peter Hickey. He characterised the incident as "one silly, stupid act". Abbate has been relieved of his duties and pay, Chicago Police Department spokesman Officer Robert Perez said. The department is looking into "separation proceedings", Mr Perez said. Mr Weis has said he wants Abbate fired.

Original report here



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