Jul 23, 2008 12:01 pm US/Central
Trial Set For Cop Accused Of Beating Bartender
CHICAGO (STNG) ―
Anthony Abbate — the Chicago police officer whose videotaped beating of a female bartender was seen around the world — will go to trial on felony charges Nov. 19.
Abbate, 39, is charged with beating Karolina Obrycka at Jesse's Shortstop Inn on the Northwest Side on Feb. 19, 2007.
His lawyer, Peter Hickey, had entered plea negotiations with prosecutors, but the talks fell apart over prosecutors' demands that Abbate serve time in a state penitentiary, sources said.
On Wednesday morning, Abbate and Hickey appeared before Judge John Fleming — and Hickey requested the November date for a jury trial.
"I'm requesting that this matter be given some time to settle down," Hickey said.
Every time the case comes up in court, the lawyer said, "the airwaves are inundated with the tape of this incident."
Fleming agreed to the November date, and added, "It will be old enough."
Abbate is charged with several felonies, including aggravated battery in a public place, official misconduct, intimidation and communicating with a witness. He faces a maximum of five years in prison if convicted.
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2006. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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