Chicago Police Cmdr. Glenn Evans, who was accused of pushing his service gun down a suspect's throat, as well as holding a stun gun to the young man's groin, was acquitted of battery and misconduct charges Monday, the Associated Press reports.
It's a controversial ruling by Cook County Judge Diane Cannon at a time when Chicago is dealing with scathing criticism regarding its handling of suspects, and in light of two recently released shooting-death videos involving police officers.
Still, in her ruling, Cannon declared that she did not find alleged victim Rickey Williams' testimony believable, since he reportedly changed his story repeatedly, and that the presence of his DNA on the service weapon did not automatically constitute guilt. Cannon said that Williams' DNA could have gotten onto the weapon during a tussle at the time of the arrest.
The judge also ruled that Evans' case had nothing to do with other excessive-force cases and police brutality across the nation.
Williams' lawyers remain unswayed, however, and issued a statement saying that they will proceed with a lawsuit and that they are confident they'll be able to prove that Evans violated Williams' rights, AP reports.
Evans was accused of sticking his gun in Williams' mouth after a brief chase that began when Evans said the young man had a gun. Williams said the officer's gun was shoved so far down his throat that he later spat blood. The gun Williams was alleged to have had was never recovered from the scene.
Read more at ABC News.