Jun 18, 2007 4:21 pm US/Central
Judge Denies Abbate's Request To Get Gun Back
CHICAGO (STNG) ―
A Cook County judge on Monday denied a request by Anthony Abbate, the Chicago Police officer caught on a Northwest Side bar's video surveillance camera beating and kicking a female bartender, to have his firearm returned to him.
Abbate's attorney had filed a motion asking the court to order authorities to return his client's firearm. After hearing arguments from the defense and prosecution, Cook County Judge John Fleming denied the motion, according to Cook County State's Attorney's office spokesman Andy Conklin.
Last month, Abbate pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated battery, one count of communication of a witness, three counts each of intimidation of a witness and conspiracy, and seven counts of official misconduct.
On Feb. 19, while at Jessie's Shortstop Inn at 5424 W. Belmont Ave., Abbate, 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds, allegedly became intoxicated and attacked a female bartender, who is 5-foot-4 and 115 pounds, according to prosecutors. The Lincoln District officer was off duty at the time.
According to court records, Abbate insulted another customer, whom he put in a headlock and struck, and when that customer moved to the other side of the bar, Abbate attempted to walk behind the bar to get to him. When the bartender attempted to intervene, Abbate allegedly shoved her against the bar, punched her, knocked her to the ground and kicked her, court records show.
The incident was captured in a video which has aired repeatedly in the local and national news media. The bartender was treated for injuries at Our Lady of Resurrection Medical Center.
Later that night, someone allegedly approached the bartender, saying he was there on behalf of Abbate, offering the woman money not to report the incident to police. Abbate, who has been relieved of his police powers, was initially charged with aggravated battery in March, with the other charges added in April.
Fleming set a status hearing for July 25.
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2006. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
