ANTHONY ABBATE GUILTY: Cop Found Guilty Of Aggravated Battery In Videotaped Bartender Beating (WATCH BEATING)

CHICAGO (AP) -- A hulking Chicago police officer who claimed he pummeled a female bartender half his size because he thought he was in danger was found guilty Tuesday of aggravated battery.

Judge John Fleming rejected Anthony Abbate's claim that he acted in self defense when he threw, punched and kicked Karolina Obrycka as she tended bar in February 2007 in an attack caught on a tavern security tape that was played around the world.

Abbate, 40, faces probation to up to five years in prison when he is sentenced June 23. He remained free Tuesday after Fleming denied a request to revoke bond.

Abbate's conviction is the latest in yet another ugly chapter for a Chicago Police Department that's been plagued by allegations of brutality and bad behavior.

The video footage of a drunken, 250-pound Abbate punching and kicking the 125-pound Obrycka circulated widely online and played incessantly on newscasts as another example of misconduct by Chicago police. During the controversy, then-Superintendent Phil Cline suddenly announced his retirement, and Jody Weis was appointed with an order to clean up the department's image.

Abbate waived his right to a jury trial. He was initially charged with 15 counts that included official misconduct, intimidation, conspiracy and communicating with a witness. All but the battery charge were dropped before the trial's end.

During testimony Tuesday, Abbate acknowledged he was drunk during the incident, but said the now 26-year-old bartender pushed him first as she tried to remove him from behind the bar.

Abbate said he "didn't want to receive another injury, I threw her to the ground to get her off of me."

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Obrycka pushed him into a wall, causing him to hit his head as she tried to move him, he testified. He said he didn't know he wasn't supposed to be behind the bar but admitted Obrycka told him several times to get out and stay out.

The judge said Obrycka was justified in using force to defend the bar's property, and prosecutors continually mocked the notion that Abbate was the victim.

"Big, bad Karolina threatened defenseless Tony Abbate," said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Lauren Friedman. "He was the aggressor."

In dropping the official misconduct charges, Fleming said there was no evidence Abbate abused his position as a police officer, noting that even Obrycka testified Abbate never showed his badge or identified himself as an officer.

Abbate has been "suspended pending separation" and relieved of his duties and pay, said Chicago police spokesman Roderick Drew. Weis has said he wants Abbate fired.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

Watch the security camera footage of the beating:

Comments

[LiberalBuzz]

Do not pass go, go directly to jail.

[AGarcia]

i bet he doesn't show up. 50-50 chance...

[MikeHermit]

No wonder he did not want a jury trial. They see this tape and they would rule a guilty verdict to any charge presented.

Any suggestion that he did not abuse his power as an officer is moot. He was an officer. It is his job to come to a scene such as this and protect the porperty, the employees, the public from such a rampage by an out-of-control drunk. Yet he took on that role of out-of-control drunk. Abuse of police power? No. Able to perform his duties as an officer? No.

I was also bothered by the standers-by that took a minute to intervine. While one, the biggest male, did pull out his phone and presumably call 9-1-1 none physically intervined. I don't care if the attacker was a 250 pound man or a 150 pound woman, if the person attacked is a 125 pound woman or a 175 pound man. Don't be a sideline coward.

Though the video is grainy and the other prevalent patron could be an elderly man. Such a person I would not expect to step in. But the others? Step up.

[amdezurik]

they possibly knew he was a cop and cops ALWAYS defend their own (until caught on tape anyway) up to and including "suiciding" you in jail if you might tell a tale they want to hide

[Eric8869]

This is Chicago - he'll either get probation or a very short sentence. The Chicago police can do no wrong. It has to be an FBI case for them to get in trouble.

They can kill people drunk driving and get away with it. They can torture people and get away with it.

There is no accountability when you are a Chicago cop.

[ObamAtomic]

Coward! If you go to jail probably you will be a wifey!

[factotem]

Another one to file under: tiny p*enis.

[AGarcia]

Or just more cops = more police brutality. Another cop who thinks he's above the law.

[quad1200]

OMG!!! You gotta be kidding me, he only got probation for this.

[HazerX]

"Abbate, 40, faces probation to up to five years in prison when he is sentenced June 23."

l2read

[jbrantow]

I lived in Chicago for 20 years...my bet is probation! Chicago cops=brotherhood of corruption.

[amdezurik]

he's a cop and cops ALWAYS back their own over "civilians"

[obelus]

A classic, if just for the soundtrack. The bartender has spunk.

[Gronkie]

What big wimp this guy is (I'd like to use several stronger words, but I know that HP won't allow it)! He should serve hard time in jail, at least several years, in general population. I can't believe he hasn't been fired yet! He seemed pretty practiced at what he was doing, turning her over so he could take a few more hard shots to her face, so you know he treats suspects this way as well, there just aren't videos to prove it.

[MalakAlHaq]

As one who lives in Chicago I would bet this criminal gets off with a mild probation.

The fact that he is out on the street is a total disgrace.

Rather that the typical cop defense of "one-of-us" they should all vocally condemn this guy and plead that he be sent to Joliet for five years. In the meantime how about giving him a little softening up time in Cook County jail.

[jbrantow]

wasn't it just a year ago that another chicago cop was involved in a drunk driving accident that killed the other driver (on clybourn ave) and I believe he got off scott free.

[amdezurik]

oh heck that kind of thing happens in Ca to. in the last 18 months or so one county has managed to have it's cops kill 3-4 unarmed mentally ill people for no good reason. Fact is unless the evidence is overwhealming AND out in the public cops will always arrange to get off.

[Chitownfool]

All yall talking about "scott free" stuff are crazy maybe he wont go to jail but also he won't have a job and has no job skills he's unhireable for all most the lowest paying jobs. After years of being a cop and making 65-75 grand a year he's probally got used to a certain life style (A life style that isnt living in those men's homes you rent by the week or squating in the projects) and now he's gonna lose his pension and his home I don't feel bad for him, but being fiered from the police force is pretty bad

[robbep]

i lived in chicago for 6 years and the cops are worse than the gang bangers. This punk needs to go to jail. Only a punk wld hit a woman like that.

[smoovejef]

Not only that; don't put him in protective custody, he's big enough to defend himself in main population. Hopefully, he won't still be a cop by then.

[smoovejef]

Send a message; throw the book at him. Five years, none suspended. Anger management, mandated. The man abused his position and the public trust, not to mention being another in a list of embarrassments for Chicago PD. Bullies should never be tolerated.

[nimblestikonfobrit]

Agreed.

[jonnai]

I live in ILLINOIS and every month a CHICAGO CROOKIT COP is involved in a matter. Whether they have killed a inocent by stander. OR driving under the influence and killing someone. But get this the supperentended takes up for them and they remain on the job. CHICAGO is the worst town when it comes to crooket cops.

[sansego2000]

Being a cop , he should get the worst possible sentence. These guys are suppose to be trained to help serve and keep the peace in society. Every cop should kick his butt for helping in the rift between many peoples and the police. A policeman's job is tough enough, then this jerk makes things even worse.

[nhfarmer]

A Cook County Probation Officer told me she was more scared of cops than prisoners. It only takes a few of them to ruin things for the good officers.

[Imichael]

Lets not forget

Any man drunk or sorber does not hit a woman. I hope all you responsible people are teaching your sons this. Never ever do you hit a woman. I have to assume this man has hit women before.

[amdezurik]

well, I will say if i had been next to Susan Smith while she locked her kids in her car and shoved it into a lake I sure as HE// would have pumched her lights out to get her keys.