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Chicago Cop Beats Man in Wheelchair
A Chicago police officer has pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of a man he brutally beat while the victim was handcuffed and shackled in a wheelchair, the Grimy Times has learned.
William Cozzi, 51, a 17-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, pleaded guilty to a single count of violating the victim’s civil rights. Cozzi used a ‘sap,’ a dangerous weapon similar to a blackjack, to repeatedly strike the victim, resulting in bodily injury.
The shocking incident occurred on August 2, 2005, at Norwegian American Hospital, where the victim was awaiting treatment after being stabbed in the shoulder. Cozzi, who was assigned to the 25th District at the time, approached the victim, who was being loud and verbally abusive, and quickly subdued him with handcuffs and leg shackles.
With the victim restrained, Cozzi unleashed a brutal assault, striking him repeatedly with the sap. According to a plea agreement, the victim posed no physical threat to Cozzi or anyone else at the hospital. Cozzi then proceeded to prepare a false arrest report and misdemeanor complaints, attempting to cover up his heinous actions.
‘The defendant violated the public trust by abusing his law enforcement authority,’ said Acting Assistant Attorney General Loretta King. ‘This prosecution demonstrates that the Civil Rights Division is committed to aggressively prosecuting law enforcement officers who willfully use excessive force.’
Cozzi faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Blanche Manning has set sentencing for March 26, 2009. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Drury and Trial Attorney Betsy Biffl of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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