(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Charges have been dropped against an Oak Lawn police officer who was accused of violently beating a teenager during an arrest two years ago.
It's been a controversial case ever since police body cam footage was released from a traffic stop of 17-year-old Hadi Abu-Atelah in July of 2022.
Video shows Officer Patric O'Donnell repeatedly punching Abu-Atelah in the head, leaving the teen with internal bleeding in his brain, a fractured pelvis, and a broken nose.
O'Donnell was indicted by a grand jury last year on counts of aggravated battery and official misconduct, but now those charges have been dropped.
"Our staff's immediate reaction was anger, and actually, blood boiling anger," said Maggie Slavin is the Operations Manager for the Council on American-Islamic Relations Chicago, which has been supporting Abu-Atelah and his family.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office issued the following statement:
“After a thorough review, we concluded that the evidence is insufficient to meet our burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt to move forward with the prosecution of this case. Prosecutors must evaluate the evidence at every stage of a criminal proceeding, and act accordingly in the pursuit of justice. Throughout the pendency of this case, the CCSAO has been in communication with the victim, his family, and attorney as we sought an appropriate resolution. Today we asked the court to dismiss the case, and the court granted our motion.”
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