Related Federal Cases
Chicago Cop Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Wheelchair-Bound Man
Chicago, IL – A Chicago police officer has pleaded guilty to violating the federal civil rights of a man whom he struck repeatedly with a dangerous weapon while the man was handcuffed and shackled in a wheelchair.
William Cozzi, 51, pleaded guilty to a one-count information in U.S. District Court in Chicago, admitting he used excessive or unreasonable force while acting under color of law.
On Aug. 2, 2005, Cozzi was dispatched to Norwegian American Hospital to respond to a stabbing and approached the victim, who was being loud and verbally abusive while awaiting treatment. Cozzi placed the victim in handcuffs and left the emergency room to retrieve leg shackles, which he then placed on the victim.
With the victim restrained, Cozzi used a sap to repeatedly strike him in the face and body. According to the plea agreement, at the time of the assault the victim posed no physical threat to Cozzi or anyone else at the hospital.
Cozzi also admitted that he subsequently prepared a false arrest report and misdemeanor complaints stating that the victim attempted to punch him and two hospital security guards, as well as a false tactical response report stating that he used an ‘open hand strike’ on the victim but omitted that he struck the victim with a sap.
Cozzi faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He is set to be sentenced on March 26, 2009.
Cozzi was suspended from duty after the incident and was indicted in April 2008 for depriving the victim of his civil rights.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Drury from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois 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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