DUI evidence against Chicago cop thrown out
Judge Thomas Gainer ruled today that DUI evidence cannot be used in a trial against Chicago police officer John Ardelean.
Ardelean was charged with four counts of aggravated DUI and two counts of reckless homicide after the car he was driving hit a parked car killing both occupants of the car.
Killed in the accident was Erick Lagnuas and Miguel Flores.
Judge Gainer Jr. ruled that the evidence against Ardelean was illegally seized. Ardelean's attorneys challenged his arrest based on the fact the two other officers, a sergeant and a paramedic all testified that Ardelean did not appear drunk at the accident scene so they did not feel that a Breathalyzer was necessary at the time.
Additionally, Gainer ruled that Lt John Magruder wasn't a credible witness when he testified that Ardelean seemed like he was drunk. Magruder testified at a previous hearing that Ardelean had bloodshot eyes, smelled of booze and looked like "he was walking kind of funny with a limp or something."
After the judges rulling, things got out of control. Family members were involved in scuffles with the sheriff's deputy's in the hallway outside the courtroom.
Sheriff spokesperson, Steve Patterson said that deputy's got involved because "loud disruptions were coming from the hall" which prompted a femaly deput to go out into the hallway and ask them to stop
"A female deputy attempted to quiet them and asked them to leave when a relative of a victim in the case involved stepped forward and made multiple threats to that deputy. Other deputies then came in the hall. The woman's threats against the deputy then became more aggressive, prompting other family members nearby to restrain the woman who then became combative."
Two other relatives "began attacking" the deputies. They were subsequently arrested.
The two deputies are being treated at an area hospital. "One has what appears to be a broken finger, along with what appears to be fingernail scratches all down her side. The other deputy appears to have bite marks on her collarbone and neck area."
The sheriff's office declined to charge the parties involved. "It was an emotional situation and lines were indeed crossed, but given the circumstances, we plant to release the three women without asking that charges be filed against them," Patterson said.
