Chicago cop Anthony Abbate sentenced to 2 years probation in videotaped bar beating

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1635147,abbate-sentence-video-bar-beating-062309.article

A Cook County judge sentenced Chicago Police officer Anthony Abbate to two years probation this afternoon for beating a petite female bartender in a drunken rampage at a Northwest Side Bar.

Although Judge John J. Fleming said the videotaped beating of Karolina Obrycka might have been seen by “more people in the history of the world,” he said he had to take into account that Abbate has no prior criminal history and didn’t cause serious harm to Obrycka, who suffered bruises and contusions from the the Feb. 19, 2007 incident. Abbate could have received up to five years in prison.

“If I believed sentencing Anthony Abbate to prison would stop people from getting drunk and hitting people, I’d give him the maximum sentence,” Fleming said.

Abbate, 40, did not make a statement before Fleming ordered him to also perform 130 hours of community service and attend anger management classes for the aggravated battery conviction. Abbate also has a strict 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew during the two year probation period, in which he has to undergo drug and alcohol evaluation.

[ColbertWatcher]

1. Hey Judge Fleming! You sentence not to stop "people" from "getting drunk and hitting people" ...

... but to to stop the accused from "getting drunk and hitting people."

And to punish him, etc.

[lpbk2713]

2. He'll get busted again.

That clown obviously has anger management issues. He'll screw up again and then he'll find himself in jail.

Not a good place for a 'hardass' cop. The judge probably had pity on him this time because he knows what

would happen to a cop in jail.

[Peregrine Took]

3. It shows how corrupt Chicago is. Sickening. n/t

[aikoaiko]

4. Shame of Chicago

The sentence seems unjust.

[Suji to Seoul]

5. What would have happened to me if I was drunk and beat up a petite cop?

Seriously, how many years in prison would I get? Remember, I don't have a criminal record either (not even a parking ticket to my name) and I wouldn't "serious harm to (the officer)," only to make the officer "suffer (sic) bruises and contusions."

How many years would I get?

Because the victim is Russian and a bartender, no one cares in the criminal justice system. A cop did the beating. . .so it's okay!

Police, DAs and judges are scum of the Earth! I have more respect for pimps and pushers!

[NNN0LHI]

6. If you had made it to court the judge would have thrown the book at you

You would have considered yourself lucky if other police officers had not beat you to death after your arrest.

Don

[ellisonz]

7. If I had done this I would be in prison...

[Heidi]

8. His attorney is still blaming the victim.

Abbate’s attorney Peter Hickey continued portraying the 5-foot-3 Obrycka as the aggressor in the violent scuffle at Jesse’s Shortstop Inn. He also attacked the Polish immigrant’s “illegal status in a post 9/11 world...He’s not a bad man. He did something bad. He got drunk. He got out of control.”

[jfabs]

9. bigger question

While I recognize that this individual that beat the bartender is scum. I also recognize that him being bigger than her, her being a female, in the eyes of the law have no bearing. I am curious why the prosecution did not seek felony charges. Why did they allow him to plea down to aggravated assault?? At about the same time of this trial there was a punk that shot and killed a police officer. He was on probation for a six count felony indictment. The judge, Bertina Lampkin, allowed to 20 yr old probation on the condition of getting a ged and also community service. The 20 yr old was found in violation up to seven times of his probation and still never went to jail. This is for a felony gun count. He was the trigger man that killed the young police officer. I am grateful the bartender didn't sustain serious injury, another circumstance that, I am sure, played in the probation decision. Is abbate scum of the earth, no doubt!!! Can scum of the earth be locked up for the first time they show they are scum....I dont think so. I know that I would expect the same type of treatment if I beat someone up in a bar. I don't think we should be passing blame on the judge. I think the State's Attorney showed their cards, so to speak, by not going for a felony count. I think they knew that was going to be a stretch and that is why the allowed Abbate to plea down.