Month: July 2013
Former Joliet cop accused in beating found innocent
A Will County jury on Wednesday found a former Joliet police officer accused of beating a woman during an arrest not guilty on all counts. Thomas O’Connor, 37, was charged with aggravated battery after the February 2012 incident in which he punched Shantique Jackson more than 20 times while attempting to arrest her. The jury
Man sues Joliet police who fired shots at him
A man who says he was shot several times last summer by Joliet police officers has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the officers and the City of Joliet. The complaint, which will be pursued in federal court alleges excessive force and is seeking millions of dollars in damages. James Pacheco shows the scars left
Plainfield park commissioner on trial for alleged battery of political foe
A mysterious man dressed all in black and a Joliet firefighter allegedly engaged in a confrontation over political signs for a state Senate race on the eve of the Nov. 6 election. It boiled over, ending with a third man — Peter Steinys, a campaign worker who months later was elected to the Plainfield Park
Plainfield Park Commissioner Accused of Battery, Threats in Spat Over Campaign Signs
There was no resolution Tuesday in the battery trial of a Plainfield Park District commissioner accused of attacking a rival campaign worker in November. Joliet firefighter Michael Carlin maintains that Peter Steinys, 56, intentionally hit him with a car door, then attempted to strike him before grabbing him by both arms in a dispute over campaign signs.