On the first day of Christmas, a boy in blue gave to me... a body slam and a busted knee.
That's the tune John Preston Jr. is singing, according to a lawsuit filed Monday against police and the city for excessive force and illegal seizure.
According to the suit, Preston was attending a holiday party on December 24 at Major Hall on the northwest side. No liquor was served at the party.
Reportedly, police were called to the venue when a fight started in the late hours of the evening. Preston claims he was not involved in the altercation.
Just before 1 a.m., Preston and his cousins were walking toward his car when, allegedly, an unidentified officer grabbed him from behind, put him in a choke hold, and slammed him against a parked car. "I told you to leave the scene," said the cop, according to the lawsuit.
Preston then fell to the ground and broke his kneecap, according to the suit.
Preston reportedly told the officer that he was injured, but none of the 5 to 6 police on the scene called an ambulance or provided medical assistance.
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The suit says that Preston had to be carried inside by a security guard at the hall, who also called for an ambulance.
Preston is suing the officer who allegedly threw him to the ground, the other officers on the scene, and the City of Chicago for unlawful seizure, excessive force, failure to intervene, failure to provide medical attention, intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault, battery, and indemnity.
One cop a-slamming? Sounds like a new Chicago carol in the works...
Matt Bartosik is a Chicago native and a social media sovereign.
