A judge has ruled that DNA taken from the gun that a Chicago police commander allegedly shoved into the throat of a suspect can be submitted as evidence during his trial.
Cook County Judge Diane Cannon during a Wednesday hearing denied the request from Glenn Evans' attorney asking to suppress the swab taken from his gun.
Prosecutors say the swab had DNA from the man who Evans chased into an abandoned house in January 2013. Prosecutors accuse Evans of shoving a gun down the man's throat, among making other threats.
Evans was arrested after an investigation of the 2013 incident involving the capture of a suspect. Prosecutors accuse the high-ranking, 30-year veteran of shoving a gun down the Rickey Williams' throat, putting a Taser to his groin, and threatening to kill if the man did not tell him where his gun was.
No gun was ever found and charges against the suspect were dropped. Evans has pleaded not guilty to aggravated battery and official misconduct charges.
Evans commanded police in one of Chicago's most violent neighborhoods before he was stripped of his police powers and service weapon.
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 last year against Evans, the Chicago Police Department and the City of Chicago in connection with the case.
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. "If it wasn't for Glenn Evans, our block probably would be drug-infested, gang-banging and everything else."
