There’s just no defending a beating when it involves a man in a wheelchair– particularly when it’s caught on video. U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald said he took no pleasure in the prosecution, but said the crime had to be addressed.
By NATASHA KORECKI AND TESS FARDON
Chicago Sun-Times
CHICAGO — After his client was hit with a 3½-year sentence Thursday for the videotaped beating of a man in a wheelchair, a defense lawyer launched an explosive salvo against Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis.
“I’ve got a message for all those fine officers in blue out there: After 15 years on the job, don’t snap. You’ll get thrown under the bus and it’ll be a federal bus and it’ll be by your own superintendent,” said a fuming Terry Gillespie, who represents former cop William Cozzi.
“This prosecution brought by Supt. Weis was misguided and vindictive,” Gillespie said.
The remarks came moments after Cozzi, 52, was sentenced for the 2005 beating of a 60-year-old man who was handcuffed and shackled to a wheelchair.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2yT32nOxWA
