IPRA Investigators Testify In Police Cmdr. Glenn Evans Trial
The lead Independent Police Review Authority investigator handling Chicago Police Cmdr. Glenn Evans' brutality case admitted Wednesday that he didn't follow up on key requests from his supervisor and the Illinois State Police crime lab.
Even though Vincent Jones received a memo from now-ousted IPRA administrator Scott Ando and a "to-do" checklist from another colleague to see if Evans was left- or right-handed, Jones said he never personally looked into the matter.
Evans, 53, who is on trial for official misconduct and aggravated battery, is right-handed.
Up until this year, Evans' alleged victim, Ricky Williams, 25, insisted that Evans jammed his service weapon down his throat with his left hand while he held a Taser to his groin with his right hand.
Jones also said he didn't give ISP forensic scientist Jennifer Wagenmaker a standard sample of Evans' DNA for analysis from the swabs taken from his weapon, because he didn't think it was necessary.
Wagenmaker said she called and faxed Jones, asking for Evans' DNA.
A major male DNA profile traced on Evans' gun matched Williams' DNA, forensic scientist Debra Klebacha said.
Jones and a former IPRA investigator's sometimes scattered testimony Wednesday raised questions of the methodology used by officials at the embattled IPRA.
Cook County Judge Diane Cannon seemed especially surprised that no one from IPRA interviewed Evans or the other officers who responded to the foot chase involving Williams at 71st and Eberhart on Jan. 30, 2013.
Jones explained that IPRA usually interviews officers after DNA results are back and criminal cases are completed.
But in Evans' case, DNA tests didn't come back until 15 months later, the judge noted.
"What if they [officers] retired, moved to Florida or died? . . . Why would you wait 15 months?" a visibly exasperated Cannon asked.
IPRA's investigation in the Evans' case is still ongoing, Jones said.
Meanwhile, an ex-IPRA investigator — who has since been fired and was purportedly disciplined by Evans when they both worked in the 2nd Police District — testified that she didn't write up a report tied to the case until 15 months later.
Martrice Campbell said a female employee at the Grand Crossing Police District told her in February 2013 that Evans could take a Taser whenever he wanted because he was the commander.
However, Campbell, who claims she never met Evans when she was a civilian CPD employee, didn't write up a report based on her notes until months later.
Officer Sheila Jackson testified earlier Wednesday that her records indicate that Evans didn't check out or request a Taser on Jan. 30, 2013.
Evans "would have to sign out" a Taser if he wanted one from me, said Jackson, who was working the radio room.
Three patrol officers who were on the scene with Evans also testified that they never saw Evans or any other officer hit or threaten Williams that afternoon.
Officer Brian Bratton said Evans did get on top of Williams but only because Williams "stiffened" up and was lying with his hands behind his back, keeping the commander from handcuffing him in the unkempt abandoned building.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2015. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)