Violence Against Women – Page 4

From the Chicago Tribune:

A Chicago police officer was sentenced to two years probation today for pummeling a woman who was tending bar.

Anthony Abbate — who declined to say anything to the judge before he was sentenced — could have gotten up to five years for beating Karolina Obrycka in February of 2007. The attack was captured by the bar’s security camera and the video was shown around the world.

Judge John Fleming said he decided against jail time, explaining he did not believe the crime was serious enough and that throwing Abbate in prison would not be a deterrent to others.

“If I believed that sending Anthony Abbate to prison would stop people from getting drunk and hitting other people, I’d sentence him to the maximum,” the judge said. “But I don’t believe that is the case.”

Fleming also imposed a curfew of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for Abbate. The cop must also attend anger management classes, undergo alcohol evaluation and perform 130 hours of community service.

Fleming said he would like Abbate to perform the service in a homeless shelter.

Judge John Fleming and the City of Chicago should be ashamed.

The Chicago Chapter of the National Organization for Women does not accept the lenient sentence handed down to Anthony Abbate today by Judge John Fleming. We strongly believe that anyone, especially police officers, who commit acts of violence against women should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. In addition, Chicago NOW demands that the members of the Police Board vote to fire Anthony Abbate. If John Fleming chooses to run again for his circuit court seat, we will commit ourselves to doing everything within our power to make sure that he is not re-elected.

If you’re interested in getting involved, contact respectfully cnowweb@yahoo.com

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Tag: Violence Against Women

Other Chicago NOW Media Comments on Abbate

This is Unacceptable