Supporters Stand By Chicago Police Commander Accused in Brutality Case

Glenn Evans is accused of shoving a gun into a man's mouth and holding a taser to the man's groin

A large crowd of supporters surrounded Glenn Evans Thursday morning as the indicted Chicago Police commander exited the Cook County Criminal Courts Building.

The high-ranking, 30-year veteran of the force is accused of shoving a gun into Rickey Williams' mouth and holding a Taser to the man's groin last year.

Evans has been stripped of his police powers and charged with official misconduct and aggravated battery. In 2012 NBC 5 reported that Evans was among a small group of officers who had been repeatedly accused of police brutality and misconduct, resulting in millions of dollars in tax-dollar payouts.

Williams filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month against Evans, the Chicago Police Department and the City of Chicago in connection with the case.

Laura Morask, Evans' attorney, said investigators have yet to interview Evans about this case and get his side of the story.

"Something you always do before a case is charged is you ask the suspect their account," Morask said, "but that was never done."

She also claims that the Independent Police Review Authority that looks into allegations of excessive force and other officer misconduct leaked information about the case to WBEZ Radio before Evans was charged.

According to details revealed last month in the prosecutor proffer, Evans claimed he saw the then 22-year-old Williams on the 500 block of East 71st Street with a gun. Evans chased Williams into a home, tackled him, and then shoved his pistol into Williams' mouth and threatened to kill him if Williams didn't say where he'd put the alleged gun. Additionally, prosecutors allege Evans held a Taser to Williams' groin.

Evans and other responding officers took Williams into custody but no gun was ever found, prosecutors said.

Williams was later charged with a misdemeanor offense of reckless conduct based upon his alleged possession of a gun, but that charge was dropped on April 24, 2013, when officers failed to appear in court to testify.

A day after his arrest, Williams filed a complaint with the Independent Police Review Authority describing the incident. IPRA on Feb. 1, 2013 ordered Evans to turn in his weapon for forensic testing.

DNA from Evans' weapon came back as a match to Williams more than two months later and IPRA recommended that Evans' police powers be stripped.

In the South Side community where Evans lives, neighbors said Thursday they're supporting the man who keeps their area safe.

"I've known him since he was 6 or 7 years old," Barbara McNeal said. "It it wasnt for Glenn Evans, our block probably would be drug-infested, gang-banging and everything else."

Evans heads back to court for arraignment Sept. 24. His attorney says he will plead not guilty.

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