Ardelean Case Thrown Out
A Cook County judge today ruled that a Chicago police officer accused of drunk driving in a fatal crash on Thanksgiving 2007 was arrested and detained without probable cause.
Judge Thomas V. Gainer Jr. also called the police lieutenant who ordered Officer John Ardelean's arrest not a credible witness.
"Probable cause to arrest in this case comes down to the credibility of Lt. (John) Magruder and this court does not believe Lt. Magruder's testimony," Gainer wrote in his opinion.
Gainer also wrote he had found "no conspiracy to protect this defendant by rogue officers acting without regard to their oath ..."
Labels: we got nothing
posted by SCC at 1:24 PM
145 Comments:
Just another example of an exempt wannabe trying to cover his narrow ass. Now let's free COZZI!!
good for him he should get his job back
Finally, a copper being treated like a citizen. Too bad DUI aint a fed offense. JFED would finally make an arrest.
In order to file suit you have to testify under oath which this guy will not do.
This is a VERY GOOD NEWS. I'm very happy for you John. I'm glad that you can now go on with your life and not worry about anything else, and most of all, you can continue your dream as a POLICE OFFICER. We'll see you around, Brother.
02-09C
Glad to hear the news. JA is a good guy and has been haunted by that night for long enough...finally a Crook County judge who can put two and two together.
Can anyone confirm if the good Lieutenant McGruder was merit Sergeant and/or Lieutenant? I only inquire because it would be soooooo sweet to see a merit hack get his comeuppance via the forfeiture of his house and life's savings due to ignorance and being promoted beyond his abilities by clout.
Even if McGruder was promoted off the test and by his own test-taking abilities, it would still be nice to see a lowly blue shirt come out on top (and big time) after being railroaded and made a sacrificial lamb to appease the Department witch hunters, the bloodthirsty media and the ignorant family of the deceased. Refreshing indeed to see a copper that was "guilty until proven innocent" come out the victor for a change.
I hope Ardelean invites Mcgruder over for the first party in what USED to be his home. Now that would be hysterical.
What's even more appalling is that the CCSO refused to prosecute the family members who injured deputies as they shouted and argued outside the courtroom.
WTF One has briken finger another scratch marks and bite marks...........UNFRIKIN REAL!. How is that not agg batt. I sure hope the deputies rconsider. Charge em and let them fight it. Act like an animal get treated like one.
IF you don't charge people due to their actions the next time the encountyer another officer they will 1 up it because the know nothing happened the previous time they acted up. Again how do you not charge them. It's you duty to.
Makes me sick
That whole building at Belmont and Western (019) is filled with bosses who would jam up a cop in a second. McGrudder, Ryan, Kennedy all on the 3rd watch, then you have Lt. Waldera the area gang Lt. All are a bunch of goofs who never worked the street and are afraid of their own shadows. Be aware, all are very trecherous. McGrudder should be launched! A judge called him an out right liar!
McGrudder was caught in a lie and a CR investigation should be initiated.
You mean police have rights too? huh. Maybe the upper ranks will rethink...rather...think... about some of their 'screw the blue shirt' policies...
Another example of inept supervision who just goes along with the Weis plan of fuck em all. Its happening everywhere on this department.
If you lied in court, which is what the judge is implying McGrudder did, you can be sure that there would be at least a CR investigation and you would be at call back for three to four years waiting for an outcome of the investigation. These are very serious allegations against the lieutenant and should be investigated to the fullest. McGrudder should be moved from his position immediately.
Well we finally win one Good for judge Gainer. From what I read both officers on the scene and a Sgt. did not feel he was drunk and had no reason for a breathalizer. Also I remember two independent witnesses stating that the car carrying the 2 men killed ran a stop sign and were not on the right of way street. Also nothing was ever mentioned on the blood alcohol of the driver of the other car, the hospital should have drawn blood. Unfortuneately it was a tragedy for all concerned and everyone involved lost plenty
who is McGruder? Which political orifice did he ooze out from?
Court deputies attempted to detain the relative and as they did, two more of Flores' relatives began attacking the deputies, accroding to the release. All three relatives were then detained and taken to a holding cell in the courthouse.
Two deputies were treated at a hospital for injuries. One has what appears to be a broken finger, along with what appeared to be fingernail scratches down her side. The other deputy appears to have bite marks on her collarbone and neck area.
"Our office has reviewed the case and declined to press charges against the family of the victims in this case," said sheriff's office spokesman Steve Patterson in the e-mail. "It was an emotional situation and lines were indeed crossed, but given the circumstances, we plan to release the three women without asking that charges be filed against them.
"It is our hope and expectation that these kinds of incidents don't happen in future court hearings on this case."
Evidently Cook County Sheriff Court Personnel are supposed to take beat downs, Holy Shit, a department worse than ours. WOW!
I love how the judge said Lt. McGruder statements were "ramblings."
Rot in hell Lt. McGruder.
Maybe this will back the brown nose brass off the base in the future.
---not a cop
God Bless Judge Gainer for ending this nightmare. lt. jagballs, you are now "combat ineffective".
hey this is the officer on video at a bar taking shots before he jumped in his car. Before you crucify this Lt. You should realize the facts! no one goes to to a bar to do shots of water!! you SCC to publish going after the LT'S HOUSE are way out of line, this POS P.O. whether at fault for the stop sign or not was wrong to get behind the wheel after watching the video. Facts are facts two people are dead and even thought they were also Dui does not negate the boss doing his job. What if the two people he hit were members of your family? would you be so happy with this ruling? justice has to be blind even when it involves one of our own.
is supt. runny bowels going to "flee" crying to his feeb brethren to trump up federal charges against this officer?
first responders are second class citizens in this town.
to loosely paraphrase a 19th century supreme court justice, a Policeman has no rights anyone who claims to be someone in Chicago politics is bound to respect...
we anticipate this officer retiring as a multi-millionaire.
according to what one commentator said... "viva hate" and we do understand the sentiment as directed toward the current state of affairs and those who aided and abetted/had a hand in it.
as far as the lt. involved... if it is the same j.m. from many years ago, he can't help himself. he's so shaky he vibrates. he was just trying to toe the company line and please his masters by adhering to s.o.p and throwing the copper to the wolves. giving the company what they want instead of conducting an IMPARTIAL w/c level preliminary investigation. he didn't want to have the exempt echelon falling on him like a tree for appearing to "stick up" for the officer when so many are howling for the officer's scalp. news media included.
A perfect example of a lieutenant who was clueless. The entire case stinks. When in doubt lock up the blue shirt. Who needs probable cause. We pay a serious price with white shirts that lack the knowledge to determine when an arrest should be made. Leadership at its finest.
It's nice to see there is still a legal system in this country. Now if the feds would only follow Arizona and enforce the law.
I guess police officers do have rights after all. Even in Crook county!
When will McGrouder be promoted to commander, he sure qualifies?!
The Lt completely railroaded the copper. Had him charged with the new Felony D.W.C (Driving While Cop). This is the new law that says no matter how innocent the cop is,he's automatically the bad guy. Meanwhile you have an open border in this country that allows drugs,mayhem and massive poverty into the country...and they are the victims. Common sense is a lost art.
the family then attacks the sheriffs, injures them,and gets released without being charged.
WTF. double standards for sh#theads? Dart should have charged accordingly. i hope the sheriffs have good lawyers and sue the family for wrongful injury.
It is very important that every Chicago Police Officer read the comments to the Ardelean story in the Trib.
These are the same people calling for you to "lock up the gang bangers," "do everything you can to get the guns," and "make the streets safe for me and my family."
These are the very people demanding you do everything for them, up to and including breaking the law to make sure they don't come across a robber in the street.
What do they demand for you? Prison.
They don't demand more police officers. They don't support a raise. They take pictures of you if you fall asleep for 10 minutes at 4:00 in the morning.
What they want is to see each and every one of us in a jail cell. That will make them happy. At least as long as it takes for some shitbird to knock the shit out of them on a street corner and take their purse.
This city hasn't even begun to get what it truly deserves. What it truly deserves is something in the neighborhood of 2000 to 3000 murders this year.
You talking about no support...read this
>>Following Gainer's ruling, members of Flores' family were shouting in anger outside the courtroom. This prompted a female court deputy to quiet them and ask them to leave the area, saying that they could be arrested if they did not quiet down.
According to an e-mail release from the Cook County sheriff's office, one relative stepped forward and threatened the female deputy. Other deputies then intervened and the threats made by the relative of Flores became more aggressive, prompting other family members nearby to restrain the relative, according to the release.
Court deputies attempted to detain the relative and as they did, two more of Flores' relatives began attacking the deputies, accroding to the release. All three relatives were then detained and taken to a holding cell in the courthouse.
Two deputies were treated at a hospital for injuries. One has what appears to be a broken finger, along with what appeared to be fingernail scratches down her side. The other deputy appears to have bite marks on her collarbone and neck area.
"Our office has reviewed the case and declined to press charges against the family of the victims in this case," said sheriff's office spokesman Steve Patterson in the e-mail. "It was an emotional situation and lines were indeed crossed, but given the circumstances, we plan to release the three women without asking that charges be filed against them.<<
So deputies get threatened then attacked, two get injured and the sheriff's department let the offenders go...WHAT THE FUCK!!!
Great, now stick it in the LT's ass. A white shirt is not your friend you dipshits.
The judge decided the case on the evidence, not on emotion. How refreshing for Cook County.
Gainer?
This is the same Judge who sat on the "Jefferson Tap" verdicts.
Who is Ardelean's attorney? I need his business card in case our wonderful SA's office decides to charge me with something.
HMMMMMMMMMMMM................
Naw, he won't own it, but he will build the Lt a new addition....
Can I get a event # please!!
Does he get his job back?
This is good for Ardelean, but this is not good for Chicago Police Officers. And in the end, this is really more of a story about us than it is about him.
Ardelean had been drinking and he should have been tested by breath or blood immediately after. If he was under the limit, so be it. If the accident was not his fault, that is what trials are for. But, drivers cannot refuse testing in fatal accidents under Illinois law.
The fact that the two people killed were drunken gangbangers doesn't matter. Most people killed in this city are drunken gangbangers. We are still supposed to uphold the law.
The bottom line is there was no probable cause to arrest him because the coppers on scene did not do their job. If they didn't see that he had been drinking, then they should have, because he was.
The funny thing is this case would have almost certainly ended up the same way even if Ardelean wasn't a cop. The responding coppers didn't fail to test him because he was a cop. They failed to test him because 1) they didn't know the law, and 2) they're lazy. To boot, the supervisors on the scene were even more incompetant than the responding officers. Even a fucking Lieutenant on this department cannot articulate probable cause in something as simple as a DUI arrest. For God's sake, he is a boss on this department and it took him seven hours to finally get some blood alcohol results?
At worst this is a coverup. At best its blatant incompetance. Either way it makes the Chicago Police Department look like a piss poor law enforcement agency. And that doesn't reflect well on any of us, even if it is the truth.
The rumor I heard is that the good Lt gave testimony at the IAD investigation and different testimony on the stand at trial. When cross examined at trial, the good Lt said that, on advice of his counsel during the IAD questioning, he may have been less than truthful.
I wonder who that attorney was?
At any rate, the good Lt. is looking at either a Rule 14 or a Rule 1 violation. The transcripts and the IAD statement will prove either one or the other. Another career down the drain for complete bullshit.
Ever get a finding of no probable cause on a dope case? Dont speculate that the guy is going to sue. Someone is still dead and nothing will change that fact.
Facts are facts two people are dead and even thought they were also Dui does not negate the boss doing his job.
======
The boss's job was to investigate the incident jagballs, not toss 230 years of legal procedure out the window because someone wears a blue shirt. Go fuck yourself.
"Our office has reviewed the case and declined to press charges against the family of the victims in this case," said sheriff's office spokesman Steve Patterson in the e-mail. "It was an emotional situation and lines were indeed crossed, but given the circumstances, we plan to release the three women without asking that charges be filed against them.
"It is our hope and expectation that these kinds of incidents don't happen in future court hearings on this case."
Evidently Cook County Sheriff Court Personnel are supposed to take beat downs, Holy Shit, a department worse than ours. WOW!
4/27/2010 04:02:00 PM
TV Tommy DART only cares about his image and doggies. Maybe since there was some apparent biting done he feels that the offenders in the courtroom were doggies. He will do nothing for his people guaranteed.
What's even more appalling is that the CCSO refused to prosecute the family members who injured deputies as they shouted and argued outside the courtroom
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Know why that is? Because those deputies are employed at the whim of a scumbag politician, who if they file charges on their own behalf as they should, would likely be railroaded off the job or otherwise shit on for the rest of their career.
Another shining example of why government employees HAVE TO HAVE some form of union representation and some form of strong bargaining tool against asshole politicians like this.
Can anyone confirm if the good Lieutenant McGruder was merit Sergeant and/or Lieutenant?
I've been asking the merit list question for some time now. Are there any union people out there who can help answer?
Can we, as police officers or supervisors, go to our union and request a list of all merit promotions from day one? Or can a union rep obtain that list?
I really want to know. Thank you.
So the deputies are paid to be puching bags.
John McGuuder was a shakey useless Sgt, in 12. Typical white shirt with no common sense. If a po is the alleged throw his/her civil rights out the window. The you can't go wrong with doing that for your career mentality. Well have fun in civil court Lt. Fuck nuts.
The funny thing is this case would have almost certainly ended up the same way even if Ardelean wasn't a cop. The responding coppers didn't fail to test him because he was a cop. They failed to test him because 1) they didn't know the law, and 2) they're lazy. To boot, the supervisors on the scene were even more incompetant than the responding officers. Even a fucking Lieutenant on this department cannot articulate probable cause in something as simple as a DUI arrest. For God's sake, he is a boss on this department and it took him seven hours to finally get some blood alcohol results?
At worst this is a coverup. At best its blatant incompetance. Either way it makes the Chicago Police Department look like a piss poor law enforcement agency. And that doesn't reflect well on any of us, even if it is the truth.
4/27/2010 06:15:00 PM
You sir are a complete loser. Thanks for your retarded opinion. Were you on scene? The officer might not have smelled of alcohol and the adrenaline rush from the accident could have sobered him up. Yes, it happens. Pompous comments like yours points out everything that is wrong with this dept. If he doesn't smell of booze and doesn't appear intoxicated then why should I make him blow or do any tests?
The officer wasn't at fault. Two gangbangers crashed into him that were drunk when they blew a red light. End of story. The real crime was going after this young man, whether he is a cop or not. Our society is so hypocritical when it comes to alcohol it is hysterical. Go to any bar and about 75 to 90 percent that drink there and leave are over the limit. The only thing to prevent drunk driving is to close down all the bars and illegalize liquor, and anybody that paid attention in history class knows how well that went. It just boils down to who's lucky and who ain't.
P.S. go get your fucking shine box Ned Flanders!!!!!
Mc Gruder is not merit.
Mac was a great guy when we worked tac. He always did have a hard on for DUI's though. I cant explain what happened in court though
whether he was drunk or not, let this amongst the other recent copper dui incidents be a lesson. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE PERIOD!!!!! stay home and drink. if you do go out take a taxi, have a friend/relative pick you up, ask an on-duty copper for a ride. my sgts. and w/c have told us many times in roll call that if an off-duty copper asks for a ride home you have permission to do so no questions asked. even if you are not at fault in an accident but you had a few your career is over. you can't expect fellow officers to jeopardize their careers or freedom to help you out. remember that there are cameras everywhere including squad cars. do not put yourself or another copper in that situation. it's not worth it.
There is nothing more sad than a wrongful arrest. This Officer is now a victim of the system. The system did work. The PO should sue the Lt, the City and every supervisor above the Lt that want along with this wrong doing. Let's make an example of these bosses who don't know what they are doing.
well, now I know this is a rumor mill site. Guys and girls, lets not believe everything we hear.
S.C.C.
Lets see how insignificant your blog really is. As you know the Chicago Police Dept. has had many security flaws. Well for the last month, the security door in the rear of Homan Square has been broken. ANYONE can get in, then to get through the next set of secure doors you have to "palm in"....don't worry though, that is broke as well, so both doors open to any and all. Once your in the building feel free to go anywhere. So if the press is reading(and I know they are) all you have to do is walk through the bridge and open the doors. So S.C.C. Ill let you know how fast it gets repaired after it appears on your blog. We will see how insignificant you are...
"Our office has reviewed the case and declined to press charges against the family of the victims in this case," said sheriff's office spokesman Steve Patterson in the e-mail. "It was an emotional situation and lines were indeed crossed, but given the circumstances, we plan to release the three women without asking that charges be filed against them.
"It is our hope and expectation that these kinds of incidents don't happen in future court hearings on this case."
Evidently Cook County Sheriff Court Personnel are supposed to take beat downs, Holy Shit, a department worse than ours. WOW!
4/27/2010 04:02:00 PM
Please note the INCORRECT use of the word "victims" by Sheriff's flack, Mr. Patterson. He needs to correct himself on the record...
don't drink and drive!
for all of the idiots saying "he should have been tested immediately." GET A CLUE about a little thing called reasonable suspicion. how the fuck are you going to articulate your reasoning for proceeding with a DUI blow if you can't state any other clues led you to believe he was drinking. for all of the know-it-alls: go to traffic court and watch a DUI trial.
Best comment of the day: Driving While a Cop
Just because you're the police doesn't mean you give up your rights.
OT- I cannot believe how many friends I have who are big tools. They actually believe the B.S. they hear on MSNBC and our local media about the Arizona law. Keep Illegals out. To my friends..quit being dopey bleeding heart crackers!
Lawsuit
Lawsuit
Lawsuit
Did the Lt Rule 14 himself?
Alderman O Conner's son is the plaintiffs Atty in this case. He is on the side of the illegals.
to non bar goers, it is very common for bartenders to put water in shot glasses for those who do not want to do shots but do not want to look like they are sitting out the toast. i've done shots with friends but the bartender knows to put water in my glass instead of whiskey. this happens more than you think.
hey this is the officer on video at a bar taking shots before he jumped in his car. Before you crucify this Lt. You should realize the facts! no one goes to to a bar to do shots of water!! you SCC to publish going after the LT'S HOUSE are way out of line, this POS P.O. whether at fault for the stop sign or not was wrong to get behind the wheel after watching the video. Facts are facts two people are dead and even thought they were also Dui does not negate the boss doing his job. What if the two people he hit were members of your family? would you be so happy with this ruling? justice has to be blind even when it involves one of our own.
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********************
You are a MORON, I hope the officer sues the shit out of the fine Lt.,then maybe all these W/C that can't conduct a competent investigation based on PROBABLE CAUSE, and not the fear of the news media backlash, will be held accountable.......
Mc Gruder was not merit promoted.
Doesn't matter you can still be a complete boob and do well on these bs promotion tests if you study hard enough. Just because you score well on some bs test does not mean you are good boss material. I know many mopes who test well but are complete idiots when it comes to being a boss.
hey this is the officer on video at a bar taking shots before he jumped in his car. Before you crucify this Lt. You should realize the facts! no one goes to to a bar to do shots of water!!
Wrong.. When I drink at my favorite watering hole, I always order gin and tonic with no gin. When it gets to be shot time, water in a shotglass. I even did it at my bachelor party. I tip well and they don't mind at all. I only drink liquor at home. I've never found a barkeep who could make my drinks the way I like them.
I don't know who McGruder is, but according to saturday night live, he's a goof with a thick head of hair.
6:15P.M.:How can you say the officers on the scene should have known he was drunk? That is the same type of question shitheads ask when Pookie gets shot by the police and ask" Why did they have to shoot him more than once? He would of gone down with one shot".
The animal family acted the fool after ruling fighting with deputies and were not arrested.
THIS IS WHY WE ARE THE MURDER CAPITAL OF THE USA!!!
IGNORING CRIME FOR VOTES!!!
THE PEOPLE GETTING KILLED THE MOST WILL STILL VOTE FOR THE IDIOT POLITICIANS!
Ardelean had been drinking and he should have been tested by breath or blood immediately after. If he was under the limit, so be it. If the accident was not his fault, that is what trials are for. But, drivers cannot refuse testing in fatal accidents under Illinois law.
The fact that the two people killed were drunken gangbangers doesn't matter. Most people killed in this city are drunken gangbangers. We are still supposed to uphold the law.
The bottom line is there was no probable cause to arrest him because the coppers on scene did not do their job. If they didn't see that he had been drinking, then they should have, because he was.
*********
I would advise you to read your contract & the general orders and special orders and the rules and everything else that's been documented. You need to learn the difference between your criminal rights and and your administrative rights. You have no fucking clue how any of this works. Hopefully you'll stick it up your own ass one day and then we'll see how self-righteous you are.
McGruder was a desk Sgt. in 012 and spent most of his time hiding in the bosses office when not being a meathead out on the street when we were short sergeants and he actually had to patrol.. He spent his desk time studying for the lt. exam and couldn't be bothered if you needed help with something. Not a merit promotion but he is a cocky stupid disgrace to all white shirts and deserves what he's got coming to him.
i think we need to dump that hump ginger rugai as alderman of the 19th ward. i have heard Mathew Oshea is going to run for alderman! we need a pro police guy like matt to represent CPD on city hall floor.
GO MAtt run baby run!
DUI ct and Crook county ASAs are a joke.
Heard his testimony was terrible by other officers, can we say shaaaaky
Anonymous said...
hey this is the officer on video at a bar taking shots before he jumped in his car. Before you crucify this Lt. You should realize the facts! no one goes to to a bar to do shots of water!!
************
Yes they do...many times I have served shots of water or pop to people who did not want to look like a sissy in front of their friends. (and no, I would not charge for them)
Stay safe...a wife
the case against JA was horseshit to begin with....the LT., and the SA messed it up. An original judge got it right, the Appellate Court then screwed it up....finally, a Circuit Court Judge who weighed the evidence, and saw it for what it was...
At worst this is a coverup. At best its blatant incompetance. Either way it makes the Chicago Police Department look like a piss poor law enforcement agency. And that doesn't reflect well on any of us, even if it is the truth.
The police didnt write this. go fuck yourself
Useless and lazy in 024 and desk sgt. in 012
Why is it that we all want to Monday morning quarterback what did or didn't happen, who did this or that, the fact is 99.9% of you weren't there but you can still make judgements. Shame on all of you! Thats the same thing the public and politicians do to us already.
Dear SCC,
I was hoping that you would post this letter so all would know just how little the administration thinks of all we do.
Every year there are memorials held in Springfield and Washington D.C. which honor the ultimate sacrifice made by police officers. This year we add Alex Valadez’s name to that wall.
It has long been tradition for the department to send a group of officers to each as a sign of respect for the sacrifice that has been made. This year however, the superintendent has decided that this was not important enough to warrant the department sending anybody. The Honor Guard, The Emerald Society, and the Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Police Department were all denied a code 49 request and told that if we wanted to go that we would have to burn our own time.
I will do just that. I will do what needs to be done to attend the memorials. I would like to point out that in 26 years this has never been an issue until now. How small we must look from the superintendent’s pedestal, how insignificant he must think us, to not even allow our Honor Guard to attend the ceremony.
The purpose of this letter is to bring to light the fact that the superintendent could really care less about us. I was recently on the scene of an officer needs assistance call where he was on scene, after his body guard made sure the scene was secure J-Fled was allowed out of his cage, at which time he walked around and thanked us for responding so fast. Well Mr. Superintendent, that is our job, that is who we are, we help out our brothers and come running when they call.
If I have to use every personal day I have I will, because I will not let some outsider tell me that I can’t go. All gave some, some gave all… This we will never forget.
A Police Officer
Whats with the sheriffs? Not arresting them because of emotions. Maybe we should let the shithead go for shooting someone, it was just emotions!
Anonymous said...
Gainer?
This is the same Judge who sat on the "Jefferson Tap" verdicts.
Who is Ardelean's attorney? I need his business card in case our wonderful SA's office decides to charge me with something.
4/27/2010 05:22:00 PM
Thomas W. Needham
Anonymous said...
This is good for Ardelean, but this is not good for Chicago Police Officers. And in the end, this is really more of a story about us than it is about him.
Ardelean had been drinking and he should have been tested by breath or blood immediately after. If he was under the limit, so be it. If the accident was not his fault, that is what trials are for. But, drivers cannot refuse testing in fatal accidents under Illinois law.
The fact that the two people killed were drunken gangbangers doesn't matter. Most people killed in this city are drunken gangbangers. We are still supposed to uphold the law.
The bottom line is there was no probable cause to arrest him because the coppers on scene did not do their job. If they didn't see that he had been drinking, then they should have, because he was.
The funny thing is this case would have almost certainly ended up the same way even if Ardelean wasn't a cop. The responding coppers didn't fail to test him because he was a cop. They failed to test him because 1) they didn't know the law, and 2) they're lazy. To boot, the supervisors on the scene were even more incompetant than the responding officers. Even a fucking Lieutenant on this department cannot articulate probable cause in something as simple as a DUI arrest. For God's sake, he is a boss on this department and it took him seven hours to finally get some blood alcohol results?
At worst this is a coverup. At best its blatant incompetance. Either way it makes the Chicago Police Department look like a piss poor law enforcement agency. And that doesn't reflect well on any of us, even if it is the truth.
4/27/2010 06:15:00 PM
This case was fucked from the start. Four hours after the accident the best DUI officer in the State of Illinois was asked to take over the case. He wisely refused to step into a pile of shit. As it was the judge's decision was correct. Who knows what might have happened if the people involved had done their jobs in a timely manner, likely the same result but we will never know and now there will always be a cloud. Case closed.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
The rumor I heard is that the good Lt gave testimony at the IAD investigation and different testimony on the stand at trial. When cross examined at trial, the good Lt said that, on advice of his counsel during the IAD questioning, he may have been less than truthful.
I wonder who that attorney was?
At any rate, the good Lt. is looking at either a Rule 14 or a Rule 1 violation. The transcripts and the IAD statement will prove either one or the other. Another career down the drain for complete bullshit.
4/27/2010 06:34:00 PM
If this Lt committed a Rule 14 Violation he MUST be immediately stripped and sent to callback.
The penalty for a Rule 14 Violation is termination, 30 pending separation.
I sure hope that the Lt has his 20 years on.
There are two additional incidents of bosses caught lying under oath that jammed good working coppers and got them launched.
Rule 14 applies to everyone, not just blueshirts or the UNCLOUTED!
A LESSON CAN BE LEARNED HERE OFFICE.
SOMETIME OFFICERS GET CARRIED AWAY IN THE MOMENT AND LOCK PEOPLE UP FOR REASON NOT ALL THAT APPARENT.
THE OFFICER FINDS OUT LATER THAT THE ARREST IS NOT LEGIT BUT CONTINUE ON WITH THE ARREST.
U TOO CAN END UP LIKE THE GENIUS WHITE SHIRT VERY QUICKLY.
SO HAVE PROBABLE CAUSE AND WRITE A CASE REPORT WITH THE LAW IN MIND.
THAT ARREST WONT GET U A PROMOTION AND IT SURE AS HELL CAN GET U FIRED.
Rule 14 violation plain and simple.
Hooo-Ray! Great legal decision!
Anonymous said...
Mc Gruder is not merit.
4/27/2010 07:34:00 PM
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Sorry I have to chime in here..
I kow MANY nimrods, idiots and softees that got promoted via TEST RESULTS and they are just as goofy as SOME of the Merit bosses you ALL speak of...
Not sure if merit has much to do with a person being "goofy or lacking"
In other words just because one ACES a test doesn't mean they are a better or best suited to supervise or lead...
just sayin'
17 year vet....
justice has to be blind even when it involves one of our own.
4/27/2010 04:35:00 PM
No shit.If some shitbird beats a case where your loved ones were killed,on a technicality,how would you feel?I've always Known Mc
Grudder to be a sharp,decent guy,can't see him maliciously framing a PO.Why is it when it involves a CPD drunk fuck up,all the appologists come out,and the whole world is at fault,except for the drunk.
"the good Lt. is looking at either a Rule 14 or a Rule 1 violation. The transcripts and the IAD statement will prove either one or the other. Another career down the drain for complete bullshit."
4/27/2010 06:34:00 PM
START PRINTING TICKETS FOR THE LT.'S FUNDRAISER, I'M SURE THERE WILL BE A LINE OUT THE DOOR FOR THE "GOOD" LT.,ASSMUNCH
"I don't know who McGruder is, but according to saturday night live, he's a goof with a thick head of hair.
4/27/2010 09:17:00 PM"
uh, i think that you're thinking of 'MacGroober'.
You are responsible for you own actions and if you choose to drink and drive than you must keep in mind the consequnces that follow. In this particular incident all parties involved were drinking, regardless the shitheads were driving down the wrong way and drove into the Off duty P.O. the question here is if he was not drinking would he of had been able to avoid this accident, or the fact that he was under the influence delayed his decision to avoid the accident. Considering there are two dead people and the off duty officer had indications of being under the influence, I would have to call a Sgt. and do what needs to be done. I would not jeapordize my job to save this off duty P.O. who made the decision to get behind the wheel, after he was drinking. We have to use better judgement when we go out to drink. Take a cab or get a ride. I have drank in the past and have driven, but with everything going on I have made smarter choices and used public transportation to get home after a nite of drinking.
"They failed to test him because 1) they didn't know the law, and 2) they're lazy. To boot, the supervisors on the scene were even more incompetant than the responding officers. Even a fucking Lieutenant on this department cannot articulate probable cause in something as simple as a DUI arrest. For God's sake, he is a boss on this department..." (Don't forget, the lieutenant was less than truthful, too!)
What else is new? Poor/non-existent in-service training and political hack bosses who've never been the police. Welcome to CPD, Where Mediocrity is Considered a Win!
"Either way it makes the Chicago Police Department look like a piss poor law enforcement agency."
Look like? See above.
If this Lt committed a Rule 14 Violation he MUST be immediately stripped and sent to callback.
says who?
The penalty for a Rule 14 Violation is termination, 30 pending separation.
says where?
4/27/2010 11:18:00 PM
"They failed to test him because 1) they didn't know the law, and 2) they're lazy. To boot, the supervisors on the scene were even more incompetant than the responding officers. Even a fucking Lieutenant on this department cannot articulate probable cause in something as simple as a DUI arrest. For God's sake, he is a boss on this department..."
This comes as a surprise?
"Streaming Video" is a poor excuse for "training". Right after this incident we were subject to several days of "Don't Drive Drunk" videos, but when Officer Francis was killed with his own gun, did we receive any weapon retention training? No.
These bastards don't care about you, only about the potential political fallout of your actions.
If you want REAL training, you've got to seek it out yourself, on your time and your dime.
Be careful.
rb
I'm sure JA was drunk at the time of the accident, just as much as I'm sure it wasn't his fault at all. Had he been sober, the attention would have been on the two drunk victims...DRUNK VICTIMS, one of which was driving the car and blew the stop sign, causing the accident....because he was drunk.
Everyone keeps forgetting who caused the accident and acts like JA just ran out there, sought out some innocent bystanders, and slammed into them on purpose. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The thing to learn from this mess is don't drive if you've been drinking. But no one will learn, and soon some other coppers will screw up and do this shit again...and again....and again.
Maybe NOW we can get a SIMPLE dui form?
4/27/2010 05:08:00 PM
I couldn't agree with you more.
"If some shitbird beats a case where your loved ones were killed,on a technicality..."
The lieutenant wasn't credible (i.e., he LIED), according to the judge. Hardly a technicality.
Anonymous said...
Anonymous said...
hey this is the officer on video at a bar taking shots before he jumped in his car. Before you crucify this Lt. You should realize the facts! no one goes to to a bar to do shots of water!!
************
Yes they do...many times I have served shots of water or pop to people who did not want to look like a sissy in front of their friends. (and no, I would not charge for them)
Stay safe...a wife
4/27/2010 10:24:00 PM
---------
I know I've had many a mixed drink made only of the mix when out with co-workers. It's easier than explaining why you're not drinking, you don't lose a day recovering, and I don't have to admit I'm getting older can't handle it like I used to.
Anonymous said...
That whole building at Belmont and Western (019) is filled with bosses who would jam up a cop in a second. McGrudder, Ryan, Kennedy all on the 3rd watch...
4/27/2010 03:21:00 PM
_____________________________
I hear the same argument about Ryan and Kennedy all the time and it seems to be coming from the dogs that got ridden when they were on the watch. Do your job and they don't mess with you, be a stand up guy and they even help you.
In fact, Kennedy has gone out of his way to help me more than once, and Ryan has never hurt me although he had the chances when I did screw up. And no, I'm not clout heavy or one of their chosen ones, I just do what I'm supposed to do and talk to them like a man. Try it sometimes.
McGRUDER???
Isn't he McGyver's son that's an expert at defusing time bombs on Saturday Night Live?
BOOM!!!!!
WILL THIS BE ANOTHER INCIDENT OF THE TWO-TIER SYSTEM OF DISCIPLINE ON THE CPD???
WE ARE WAITING TO SEE IF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL ADMINISTRATIVELY CHARGE THE LIEUTENANT WITH VIOLATION OF RULE 14.
LYING UNDER OATH AND GETTING A PO FIRED AND ALMOST IMPRISONED DESERVES THIS POS's IMMEDIATE REMOVAL FROM THE CPD!
The man Ardelean should go after is douche bag Bob Milan who originally upgraded the charges to try to save his failed attempt at the states attorneys office.
Anonymous said...
justice has to be blind even when it involves one of our own.
4/27/2010 04:35:00 PM
No shit.If some shitbird beats a case where your loved ones were killed,on a technicality,how would you feel?I've always Known Mc
Grudder to be a sharp,decent guy,can't see him maliciously framing a PO.Why is it when it involves a CPD drunk fuck up,all the appologists come out,and the whole world is at fault,except for the drunk.
4/28/2010 12:09:00 AM
The case should have never been investigated by 019; as soon as it was discovered that the case involved a 019th District officer it should have been handed over to major accidents unit. You simply do not handle a case involving one of your own officers in a double fatal accident.
...
hey this is the officer on video at a bar taking shots before he jumped in his car. Before you crucify this Lt. You should realize the facts! no one goes to to a bar to do shots of water!! you SCC to publish going after the LT'S HOUSE are way out of line, this POS P.O. whether at fault for the stop sign or not was wrong to get behind the wheel after watching the video. Facts are facts two people are dead and even thought they were also Dui does not negate the boss doing his job. What if the two people he hit were members of your family? would you be so happy with this ruling? justice has to be blind even when it involves one of our own.
4/27/2010 04:35:00 PM
Hello asshat, it is called probable cause. Is that too much to ask from a LT? 7 hours to make a decision is a total embarassment. Justice was not blind but had eyes wide open. Even the judge critized the LT.
The funny thing is this case would have almost certainly ended up the same way even if Ardelean wasn't a cop. The responding coppers didn't fail to test him because he was a cop. They failed to test him because 1) they didn't know the law, and 2) they're lazy. To boot, the supervisors on the scene were even more incompetant than the responding officers. Even a fucking Lieutenant on this department cannot articulate probable cause in something as simple as a DUI arrest. For God's sake, he is a boss on this department and it took him seven hours to finally get some blood alcohol results?
At worst this is a coverup. At best its blatant incompetance. Either way it makes the Chicago Police Department look like a piss poor law enforcement agency. And that doesn't reflect well on any of us, even if it is the truth.
4/27/2010 06:15:00 PM
AMEN brother. Not one white shirt understood the DUI process and could not make a decision. One year later and the department has not tried to correct this problem. This is so embarassing.
.
GO MAtt run baby run!
Hate to tell you but Matt is Gingers main man. He is another Daley hack. If he runs, he will be just like ginger. All talk.
A retirec copper chimes in -
How come this accident wasn't handled by Major Accident and IAD in that it involved a copper? I understand taking it to 019, but why was it handled by district supervisors?
If JA was intoxicated and beat the rap - he should not go after the Lt., just thank his lucky stars he got out of it. If he was sober - sue the pants off him.
to non bar goers, it is very common for bartenders to put water in shot glasses for those who do not want to do shots but do not want to look like they are sitting out the toast. i've done shots with friends but the bartender knows to put water in my glass instead of whiskey. this happens more than you think.
4/27/2010 09:10:00 P
This is true. I give the bartender a sawbuck and I'm good for the evening.
i've been going to bars for 35 years. never seen someone doing shots of water. not saying it doesn't happen just have never seen it. tended bar for a short while after college never saw it then either. i guess things are a changing.
Rule 14 applies to everyone, not just blueshirts or the UNCLOUTED!
4/27/2010 11:20:00 PM
Except Wedster.
This officer should NOT have been jammed up if the "victims" were drunk and CAUSED the accident.
Period.
McGruder lied. He should be charged with perjury.
How come nothing is said about the other driver and how he blew the stop sign and was supposedly drunk himself! Then on top of all of this, the family shows up to court, fights with the sheriffs, one sheriffs sustained a broken finger, and they drop all charges against the family for fighting with the sheriffs. What a great system we have here in Chicago!
I'm submitting my 2 cents worth after reading (until now) all 109 comments.
I won't criticize anyone's comments thus far here, just make a point and an opinion I would hope everyone takes to heart, based on this case.
Hypothetical SCENARIO:
The other driver of alleged questionable character was also DUI and allegedly blew a stop sign or signal and struck by the ODPO.
Reardless of what/when the ODPO blew, the REAL story here(according to the media that is) was that one party was a Police Officer and subsequently charges were dropped against him.(period)
Here's my only point...
Please, please, please keep in mind that if/when you are out drinking, regardless of amount, and become involved in an accident, regardless of culpability, you WILL be subject to department, legal, criminal and media fodder.
No lecture or opinion to follow, just something to keep in mind.
Stay Safe my brothers, stay safe.
Read the case non-drinkers. "Based on the 0.032 {seven hours later} blood alcohol level Ardelean recorded, an expert prosecution witness was due to testify that the officer would have been nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 at the time of the crash." Yeah, all those shots of tonic water or KoolAide must have added up. If I 'memba correctly there is a caveat or something in the ILCS 'bout not having ANY alcohol in your system.
I love the DUI idiots telling everyone how to do their job. The DUI dip shits were going to make JA blow because he was in an accident with a fatality??? I guess you were going to beat JA and put the tube to his mouth and say blow?????? The man refused to blow as part of the DUI investigation. I guess you forgot that. The only option would have been to take him to the hospital and have a nurse draw blood. JA would have refused that and all medical treatment (he was asked multiple times if he wanted to go the hospital, he refused). The nurses at ILL Masonic would have said they won't draw blood without JA's consent. I guess the DUI dip shits would arrest the nurse. The last idiots who did that are being sued by the nurse and ILL Masonic hospital.
Love the CPD and especially the traffic guys. The MORON overload is breathtaking!!!!!!!!!!
Since it's St. Jude time of the year again, I want to sincerely thank those who organize the "CPD" or star numbers of deceased members in the office lights in high-rises along LSD. I make it a point to drive LSD to look at them and reflect every year.
Yesterday, while off-duty, I was sitting in a restaurant eating when the 4:00 news came on with the Ardelean story. Behind me were an M/1/40's, F/1/40's and a child M/1/teens also eating. They gasped and said "That's why nobody gives a fuck when those po-leese get killed in this motherfuckin' city, because they get away with murder all the time.
I then thought of the office lights again-and this may be a "woe-is-me" thing to say, but I think for every citizen who looks at the lights and supports the police, 1,000 look at the lights and say fuck those motherfuckers.
this is just another example of the police being the focus of any wrong doing. if you get into a fight or accident on or off duty, you will be the focus while other non police are held to less resposibilty. i ve been in fights where offenders try to create their own ''victimization''. a solution...stay out of the kiddie bars. yeah, lots of hot women but too many drunk testosterone driven 24 year olds lookin for a fight. you have a lot to lose. make wise choices.
The case should have never been investigated by 019; as soon as it was discovered that the case involved a 019th District officer it should have been handed over to major accidents unit. You simply do not handle a case involving one of your own officers in a double fatal accident.
4/28/2010 05:08:00 AM
--------
The real solution is to make Sergeants and/or Lieutenants 100% responsible for making a decision as to whether or not a police officer should be arrested in every single case involving a CPD officer.
They get paid more because they are supposed to make those calls. This is the only police department in the country where that decision is left up to a responding PO. The responding PO's should only have the responsibility of notifying a supervisor. After that, the entire arrest procedure should be handled by a supervisor. The supervisor should be in box one. The supervisor should be responsible for going to court.
The real problem is that 80% of all supervisors on this job have never made an arrest.
Today at 1015, asshat Cisco Cotto on 890 is totally biased against the cop. Only had pro family callers, I can't believe that. Put him on the do not listen to list. He should stick to divinity studies and leave Probable Cause to the cops.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Anonymous said...
Gainer?
This is the same Judge who sat on the "Jefferson Tap" verdicts.
Who is Ardelean's attorney? I need his business card in case our wonderful SA's office decides to charge me with something.
4/27/2010 05:22:00 PM
Thomas W. Needham
4/27/2010 10:50:00 PM
No it is not the same Judge, that Judge was sent to civil court after the politically incorrect sentence was rendered.
this officer got very lucky!!
hopefully you learned your lesson!!
this incident is something we should not be celebrating about because two people lost their lives.
THANK GOD for the gift you received officer, their are families that have been hurt by your actions, regardless if you were drunk or not.
Everyone - learn from this, it could have gotten worse.
W.GODINEZ 013-Dist.
no one should think that, although Judge Gainer showed his characteristic good sense here, that WE, the CPD, 'came out ahead.' This case is just another alcohol related tragedy and EMBARRASSMENT for our Dept. yet again. The sad thing is (as another poster already said here) is that the Dept. has failed to take steps to rectify the apparent lack of knowledge processing
DUIs on a district level, and on a supervisory level as well...
John's lawyer used to work for Daley. He also worked for Hillard approving termination cases. He gets the best results of any lawyer in Cook County. Discuss.
"Don't drink when you drive....don't even putt"
Dean Martin
You are responsible for you own actions and if you choose to drink and drive than you must keep in mind the consequnces that follow. In this particular incident all parties involved were drinking, regardless the shitheads were driving down the wrong way and drove into the Off duty P.O. the question here is if he was not drinking would he of had been able to avoid this accident, or the fact that he was under the influence delayed his decision to avoid the accident. Considering there are two dead people and the off duty officer had indications of being under the influence, I would have to call a Sgt. and do what needs to be done. I would not jeapordize my job to save this off duty P.O. who made the decision to get behind the wheel, after he was drinking. We have to use better judgement when we go out to drink. Take a cab or get a ride. I have drank in the past and have driven, but with everything going on I have made smarter choices and used public transportation to get home after a nite of drinking.
4/28/2010 12:52:00 AM
Look guy, you no nothing about the case. If you would have seen the accident video which is not played often due to the media trying to play the head on angle you would know. The shitheads ran a stop sign it's obvious this was a "T-Bone" accident. The front end of JA's ride was totally smashed up. Shitheads ride was smashed up on the side. How could this be a head on collision? It couldn't be. I remember when I saw this on the news and they stated this was a head on collision and then they showed the clip. I thought to myself that this clip is wrong or the news media is on total bullshit. I thought they would correct themselves, but they did not. In fact they never show the video of the cars anymore because anybody with a brain would see the crash was not head on. Bottom line is that when see these stories on the news you need to follow the story closely or you may end up misinformed by media propaganda. If I had not seen this clip I may have felt that JA's drunk played a significant role, but it was not his fault. The bartender says she served him water shots, but the media no longer reports this and only shows the video whole saying JA was blasting away shots. Please don't judge a copper when the only viewpoint is framed by the medias lest for ratings via police lynching.
Anonymous said...
The man Ardelean should go after is douche bag Bob Milan who originally upgraded the charges to try to save his failed attempt at the states attorneys office.
4/28/2010 02:26:00 AM
SA's have immunity.
I was not there, but this entire thing sure is a black eye for the police department, regardless of how it came out. In my opinion, the department should immediately send out IAD to handle these types of incidents and not put the burden on district supervisors. It seems the department just cannot make up their minds on how to handle these incidents, whether they are criminal or administrative and who should supervise them.
Are you kidding me? Matt O'Shea is Ginger Rugai Junior. They have been grooming him for years to take over for her. We get letters from the 19th Ward sent to our homes that are signed by Matt O'Shea. Letters that give useless information....anything to get people used to his name. I'm Irish...but I am sick of the Irish Mafia that runs the 19th Ward. Tom Hynes, Jerimiah Joyce, Rep. Kevin Joyce, Sen Ed Malloy, Ald. Ginger Rugai, Tom Dart, Mike Sheehan, Skinny Sheehan, Matt O'Shea......did I leave anyone out? They all back each other and each others kids...and they all back other Crook County dumbocratic politicians and their kids. I still want a representative with my interests at heart...but I want some of the HOPE and CHANGE...with people who are not part of the political dumbocratic in-crowd.
very old school 019 boss not working when the incident went down, but honestly, the Lt. did not act in on his own...many upper ranks jumping in due to fatals, and conflict of interest. Know this Lt. to be fair as any. The very fine upstanding young officer/war veteran (thank you for your brave service) did have a few drinks that evening, that does not make him DUI, he in fact had the right of way, and was proceeding forward when the intoxicated illegal driver proceeded right thru the sidestreet, blowing thru the stop sign, and causing the crash, and his and passenger deaths. I don't personally know why this driver messed up so many other peoples lives..., but I believe Officer John has no ax to grind with the Lt. The order to charge him came from the nervous nellies above the Lt. So take a deep breath people and let John decide. He is a strong minded young man who may not really appreciate some of the bashing...John, hope you get out of call back and all good things come to you for the rest of your life. What happened to you could occur to anyone of us; if you were not the police, your citizen rights would not have been trampled so badly. Hope to see you back in 019. God bless
I'm on med's & can't drink, the bartender pours a bottle of O'Douls in a glass for me! I'm sure others think I'm having a cold beer!!!
I'm confused? I am a Police Officer & I do tend to become PMS & crabby...So if I bite, scratch & break fingers of other Coppers or say my husband or better yet citizens...Will I NOT be charged because I am "EMOTIONAL"??? What the hell is this about??? WHY were they not charged??? Makes me sick, what a slap in the face for these Deputies!!
RULE 14!!!!!!!!!!
Teamsters Local 700 Press Release:
Court Service Deputies Attacked, Told Not to File Charges
Attacks Highlight Understaffing of Cook County Courts System
Supervisors at the Cook County Criminal Courts Building told two court service deputies
represented by Teamsters Local 700 they were not to file charges after being attacked on
April 27.
The deputies were taken to an area hospital for soft-tissue damage ifter being assaulted
by three relatives of Miguel Flores, who was killed in a 2007 crash involving a Chicago
police officer. On Tuesday, the grieving Flores family lashed out at the deputies after a
Cook County judge tossed out a drunken driving charge against the implicated officer.
Though other officers were able to eventually respond to the incident, the deputies
received deep bruises, significant scratches, swelling and other injuries after being
repeatedly struck by members of the Flores family. It was while at the hospital
undergoing X-rays that Chief Deputies Kell) Jackson and Don Milazzo informed the
union officers that their attackers would be released without charges.
"County officials are sweeping this assault under the rug either out of sympathy for those
who waged it or because they're fully aware that too few deputies are serving our courts,"
said William P. Logan, Local 700 Assistant Trustee. "Sadly, officials once again are
continuing to put politics ahead of the principle of law in Chicago."
In December 2009, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart proposed a plan to close four
suburban county courtrooms on the weekends to better use available deputies. According
to the sheriffs office, there are entire floors of some Cook County courtrooms that have
one deputy assigned to them. On Saturday and Sunday alone, the bond courts of the
Criminal Courts Building at 26th Street and California Avenue routinely see more than
100 defendants.
"There are more than 350 courtrooms in Cook County and officials know there are
simply not enough deputies to assign to all areas," said Becky Strzechowski, Local 700
Assistant Trustee. "Unless the county recognizes the danger it is putting its workers and
citizens in every day, more officers will be injured in our courts and more officials will
try to cover up their inaction."
Teamsters Local 700, an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, represents more than
13,000 public employees throughout Chicago and Illinois.
Anonymous said...
very old school 019 boss not working when the incident went down, but honestly, the Lt. did not act in on his own...many upper ranks jumping in due to fatals, and conflict of interest. Know this Lt. to be fair as any. The very fine upstanding young officer/war veteran (thank you for your brave service) did have a few drinks that evening, that does not make him DUI, he in fact had the right of way, and was proceeding forward when the intoxicated illegal driver proceeded right thru the sidestreet, blowing thru the stop sign, and causing the crash, and his and passenger deaths. I don't personally know why this driver messed up so many other peoples lives..., but I believe Officer John has no ax to grind with the Lt. The order to charge him came from the nervous nellies above the Lt. So take a deep breath people and let John decide. He is a strong minded young man who may not really appreciate some of the bashing...John, hope you get out of call back and all good things come to you for the rest of your life. What happened to you could occur to anyone of us; if you were not the police, your citizen rights would not have been trampled so badly. Hope to see you back in 019. God bless
4/28/2010 05:45:00 PM
----------
Then the Lt. should have testified to that in court ...
Anonymous said...
Read the case non-drinkers. "Based on the 0.032 {seven hours later} blood alcohol level Ardelean recorded, an expert prosecution witness was due to testify that the officer would have been nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 at the time of the crash." Yeah, all those shots of tonic water or KoolAide must have added up. If I 'memba correctly there is a caveat or something in the ILCS 'bout not having ANY alcohol in your system.
4/28/2010 09:29:00 AM
----
You 'memba wrong. There is no such "caveat or something" about no alcohol in your system anywhere in the ILCS (if you even know what that is).
Anonymous said...
I love the DUI idiots telling everyone how to do their job. The DUI dip shits were going to make JA blow because he was in an accident with a fatality??? I guess you were going to beat JA and put the tube to his mouth and say blow?????? The man refused to blow as part of the DUI investigation. I guess you forgot that. The only option would have been to take him to the hospital and have a nurse draw blood. JA would have refused that and all medical treatment (he was asked multiple times if he wanted to go the hospital, he refused). The nurses at ILL Masonic would have said they won't draw blood without JA's consent. I guess the DUI dip shits would arrest the nurse. The last idiots who did that are being sued by the nurse and ILL Masonic hospital.
Love the CPD and especially the traffic guys. The MORON overload is breathtaking!!!!!!!!!!
4/28/2010 09:38:00 AM
He was in a fatal PI accident and state law says he is required to blow or undergo alternate testing, blood and/or urine testing. Not subject to refusal and yes, he can be forced to submit, strapped down whatever.
If anybody thinks he was nt drunk, than you smoking some weird shit. His 1st phone calls are to the bar??? As policemen we know many times there are 3 sides to the story, The offenders the Victims and the TRUTH. Thye issue is he was drinking and his actions played a part in the death of two people. If he was nt drinking and going 60mph?? he probably would nt have tboned the car with the two drunks in it that blew a stop sign. Thats the bottom line. Now add in that 019 never should have handle the job............. and if you watch the video and you tell me that its water that he s drinking
yea I know I can t prove it but do you think as the POLICE I m going to believe that/ than you re just as bad as the civillians who have nt got a clue what it is like to be in our shoes.
Face it he should have not have been driving........ period end of story. But because he did, theres two people who are dead...... and there s no way around it. Now the fact that he is th epolice makes it worse for all of us.............
Don t drink and drive
Congrats, John. You are a such a nice guy and I am hoping this all works out for you.
And to the PO (if he IS a PO) claiming someone can refuse to do testing with a fatality...you may need to go back to the academy on that one. They can hold you down and shove a needle in you for that blood while you scream and cry whether you like it or not. Even if there is no evidence of drugs or alcohol that can be done. That is ONLY with a fatality though.
The nurses at ILL Masonic would have said they won't draw blood without JA's consent. I guess the DUI dip shits would arrest the nurse. The last idiots who did that are being sued by the nurse and ILL Masonic hospital.
---------
Nurses or doctors who take blood by force from a person involved in a fatal traffic accidents ARE IMMUNE FROM CIVIL SUITS.
11-500.1
a) A person authorized under this Article to withdraw blood or collect urine shall not be civilly liable for damages when the person, in good faith, withdraws blood or collects urine for evidentiary purposes under this Code, upon the request of a law enforcement officer, unless the act is performed in a willful and wanton manner.
(b) As used in this Section, "willful and wanton manner" means a course of action that shows an actual or deliberate intention to cause harm or which, if not intentional, shows an utter indifference to or conscious disregard for the health or safety of another.
Being sued by people who lie is a reality of this job. If you are so scared of being sued, then you should do something else with your life.
Is there anybody left on this department who knows the laws that they are supposed to be enforcing?
None of the posters here have mentioned the fact that JA was doing 60mph on Damen. Regardless if the victim's ran a stop sign, JA shares the blame for their deaths. He's no angel. Accordiing to Kass column in todays's trib, JA's first call after accident was to a fellow officer and next call was to bar where he had been drinking. Did not call 911. First thought was cover his ass. Guilty behavior.
This is the same Judge who sat on the "Jefferson Tap" verdicts.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
same judge.
09:38 you are correct sir. he has the option to refuse the breath test, subjecting him to suspension of his DL. that is criminal. the breath test later was administrative, the cpd's baliwick
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