In February 2007, Chicago police officer Anthony Abbate went to Jesse’s Shortstop Inn and partied like it was 1999. When a female bartender refused to serve him more drinks, he attacked her. A surveillance camera in the bar captured the beating.
-- -- --
Officer Abbate was originally charged with a misdemeanor before the video was released to the public. Charges against Abbate grew to include felony battery, official misconduct, conspiracy, intimidation, and speaking with a witness. He was suspended from the police force, but not terminated.
Lawyers and the judge could not wrap their minds around the list of charges against a police officer, so Abbate's charges were reduced. He was tried and found guilty of aggravated battery instead.
Yesterday, suspended Officer Abbate was sentenced to two years probation per Judge John J. Fleming. He will be assigned to perform community service at the average rate of 2.5 hours a week. A few anger management classes, a curfew and POOF, all the bad stuff goes away.
Judge Fleming said, “If I believed sending Anthony Abbate to prison would stop people from getting drunk and hitting other people, I'd sentence him to the maximum. But I don't believe that is the case."
Let me see if I have this straight. (Suspended) Officer Abbate was granted a pardon disguised as community service because enforcing justice against bad cops is a complete waste of Judge Fleming’s time. Is that about right? I’m so happy that we have judges who take the time to explain the subtle nuances of permissible injustice.
Posts
8 comments:
Good morning, MJ!
why don't they let him work late night as bartender as community service?
LV
That would be a great idea, LV, but the judge suggested that Abbate perform service in a homeless shelter. Where he can, presumably, beat the crap out of homeless people.
Judge Fleming said, “If I believed sending Anthony Abbate to prison would stop people from getting drunk and hitting other people, I'd sentence him to the maximum. But I don't believe that is the case."
And that has to do with what, Judge Fleming? How about just sentencing the man for what he did and don't worry about whether it'll cure the world's ills. That cinches it! If I ever decide I need to beat the holy fuck out of a woman one-third my size, I'm doin' it in Chicago!
You know something? While it's true that I live in a dank shithole of a place, I can at least say on its behalf that if Officer Tony had pulled that shit off here, he'd be bent over his prison cot by now pulling a big train.
What goes round comes around. Let's just hope that fukwit wankhead Abbate dies an agonisingly protracted death. He deserves it.
And they say America is a democracy. Pah !
What, no alcohol counseling in that sentence?
What pisses me off after reading the story:
1. That the first charge was just a misdemeanor.
2. That the sleaze-bag defense lawyer argued it was the bartender's fault.
3. The cop never apologized.
I've tried to find out if any anti-violence or women's groups will protest the Abbate sentence. Can anyone suggest groups to contact? I've sent messages to a few already, but no one has responded.
It seems to me, in the age of Twitter and Facebook, that it should not be too hard to find volunteers and get organized.
I agree with Minnie and Anony Tu. If Abbate can't own up to his crime like a man, he should be treated like a bitch. Same for the judge.
I'm with Minnie on this one. Prince Charming should go to inpatient treatment for alcohol addiction. I'm horrified the Chicago police are protecting this slime ball. Maybe he should get drink and beat the shit out of the Judge and his lawyer!!!
Post a Comment