Ariel Roman, Chicago news: Jury finds police officers involved in River North shooting at Grand CTA Red Line station not liable
A jury on Tuesday night found that the Chicago police officers involved in the shooting of Ariel Roman several years ago at a CTA station were not liable.
The city says it is pleased with the jury's verdict. Roman's attorney called it "disappointing" and a "clear injustice" against his client, who never physically attacked the officers.
The federal civil trial was focused on whether officers violated his civil rights.
Witness video shows the struggle between Roman and Chicago police officers trying to handcuff him at the Grand CTA Red Line station in February 2020.
The officer who shot Roman, Melvina Bogard, was found not guilty of aggravated battery and official misconduct in a 2022 bench trial. The officer's attorneys, in that trial, argued she fired in self-defense.
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During the federal trial, Roman admitted he was under the influence and carrying a large amount of drugs he did not want the officers to find.
His attorney says police did not need to shoot him and that he did not pose a threat.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability had recommended that both officers be fired , but Bogard resigned from the department before a disciplinary hearing could be held.
Roman's attorney told ABC7 they plan to explore all options going forward, including a possible appeal.
READ MORE | Videos of police shooting at CTA Red Line station released by COPA
