Civil Suit Filed Against Chicago Commander for Shoving a Gun Deep Down a Black Man's Throat

From [HERE] A 24-year-old Black man has sued [PDF] the city of Chicago and a Chicago police commander who has since been relieved of duty, accusing the commander of shoving a gun in his mouth and threatening to kill him last year. Ricky Williams’ allegations already have led to criminal charges against Cmdr. Glenn Evans, a Black man who was removed from duty at the Harrison District on the West Side last month.

“I’ll tell you what: this man [Williams] was courageous. How many other times do you think this happens to people on the street?” attorney Antonio Romanucci said.

Evans has been charged with aggravated battery and official misconduct. Cook County prosecutors said, after spotting Williams allegedly holding a gun on a street corner on Jan. 30, 2013, Evans and other officers chased him into an abandoned house, where they found him hiding in a closet, but without a gun.

Evans allegedly shoved a gun “deep down” Williams’ throat, pressed a stun gun against his groin, and threatened to kill Williams if Williams didn’t tell him what he’d done with the pistol. Romanucci said that gun did not exist. indeed no gun was ever found.

Earlier this year, DNA evidence from Evans’ gun was matched to Williams, prompting the criminal charges. Prosecutors have said a backup at the Illinois State Police crime lab was to blame for the long delay in processing the DNA evidence.

On Tuesday, Williams filed a civil lawsuit against Evans and the city, alleging excessive force and civil rights violations.

Romanucci said Evans’ actions amount to torture.

“We can certainly call it a torture, when there’s a Taser placed between your groin and a gun shoved down into your mouth and touches the back of your throat,” he said.

Evans initially was given a pass by Police Supt. Garry McCarthy, after the Independent Police Review Authority recommended disciplinary action in the case. Just days before Evans was charged, McCarthy said it was “absurd” to ask if he should be stripped of his powers due to Williams’ brutality allegations.

Romanucci noted Evans instead was promoted.

“That sends a message to the citizens of the city of Chicago that they should be afraid,” he said.

McCarthy has since changed his tune about the allegations against Evans, saying: “The alleged actions, if true, are unacceptable to the both the residents we serve and to the men and women of this department.”