Calumet Park Cop Acquitted In Brutality Case
CHICAGO (STMW) -- A south suburban police officer accused of tripping a teen and later grabbing him by the throat after the boy made a wisecrack was found not guilty during a bench trial on Monday.
Lynell Porch, a Calumet Park patrolman since 2007, was charged last year with aggravated battery, filing a false police report and official misconduct, all Class 3 felonies, authorities said.
On Monday, Judge James Linn found Porch, 40, not guilty during a bench trial.
The alleged incident happened June 16, 2010, when Porch and a partner responded to a call of drug activity at a car wash near 127th and Laflin, authorities said.
Now a senior at Shepard High School in Palos Heights, Cameron Foreman and two of his friends testified against Porch during the first day of his bench trial last year. He testified that he was helplessly handcuffed behind his back and knocked down face first for no reason by Porch.
Prosecutors said Porch, a Calumet Park officer since 2007, falsified police reports in saying that Foreman obstructed justice and resisted arrest by pulling away from him. They also claimed he falsely claimed that Foreman, then 16, suffered a cut cheek in falling after breaking loose from Porch during a struggle, according to prosecutors.
The victim suffered a large abrasion to his face, cuts and bruises to his shoulder and knee, and a broken tooth, prosecutors said.
Surveillance video later showed Porch removing the victim from his squad car by grabbing his throat after transporting him back to the Calumet Park Police Station, then pushing him onto a bench in the booking room, authorities said.
After the attack, Porch filed reports claiming the victim resisted arrest and the injuries were the result of him tripping when he broke free and attempted to run.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
