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CHICAGO – 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. The altercation happened
after she refused to serve him more drinks.
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.
The video footage of a drunken, 250-pound Abbate (ah-BAHT'-ee) punching and
kicking the 125-pound Obrycka (ob-RYE'-kah) circulated widely 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.
Testifying Tuesday, Abbate acknowledged he was drunk, but said the 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."
Two charges of official misconduct were dismissed by the judge, who said there
was no evidence Abbate abused his position as a police officer, noting that
Obrycka testified Abbate never identified himself as an officer. |
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