May 12, 2008 3:05 pm US/Central
Gag Order Issued In Cop's Bartender Beating Case
CHICAGO (STNG) ―
Refusing to preside over what he called a "kangaroo court," a judge Monday slapped a gag order on attorneys in the case of Anthony Abbate, the Chicago Police officer allegedly caught on video beating a bartender who refused to serve him more liquor.
In issuing the order, Cook County Criminal Court Judge John Fleming cited the massive amount of pre-trial publicity in the case, including countless viewings of the infamous video both on TV and on the Internet.
Fleming appeared to chide Terry Ekl, attorney for the victim -- Karolina Obrycka -- for discussing plea negotiations the judge said should have been confidential.
And Fleming also criticized the media, saying it should have done a better job of checking facts before printing stories about plea negotiations.
Pre-trial publicity has included comments from the Police Department, law professors, community leaders and has touched on discussions about Abbate's mental make-up, his fitness to be an officer and potential guilt, Fleming said in court.
Abbate is charged with beating Obrycka at Jesse's Shortstop Inn on the Northwest Side on Feb. 19, 2007.
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2008. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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