Since his arrest alleged North Chicago burglar ‘can’t retain things’

Since his arrest alleged North Chicago burglar ‘can’t retain things’


By Judy Masterson
jmasterson@stmedianetwork.com
Last Modified: Mar 1, 2012 02:41AM

An alleged burglar who claims to be a victim of excessive police force is still undergoing rehab, has severely diminished sight in one eye and his memory has been affected.

Deloris Smith of Waukegan said of her husband: “He can’t retain things — he can’t remember what you tell him. He may need another surgery on his right eye.”

After his Dec. 12, 2011, arrest by North Chicago police for the reported burglary of a car stereo business, Charles Smith, 51, required emergency brain surgery and facial reconstruction. The case has added fuel to claims that some officers have gone off the deep end during arrests.

The day after his brain surgery at Advocate Medical Center, Libertyville, Smith told the Lake County News-Sun: “They smashed my head.”

Attorney Kevin O’Connor, who is gathering information for a civil suit in the matter, said he has obtained a letter from Smith’s surgeon in which he likens Smith’s injuries to those suffered by someone in a high-impact motor vehcile collision, a fall of 20 feet or having a head forcibly smashed into concrete.

Police Chief Mike Newsome, who retired last week, said in December that those injuries resulted when an officer gave chase and fell on the handcuffed Smith after he attempted to escape a hotel room where he was discovered, along with what police said was stolen merchandise.

One of the arresting officers, Raymond Hartmann, has recently been disciplined.

Hartmann received a suspension of “one or two days,” according to City Attorney Chuck Smith for reportedly telling an alderman in front of witnesses that “the people of North Chicago are all criminals.”

Hartmann was the arresting officer in another incident now under investigation for alleged excessive force.

The Northbrook law firm, Collison & O’Connor, is pursuing nine other cases of alleged excessive force against the North Chicago Police Department, including the Sept. 5, 2011, arrest by Hartmann of Dennis Carcamo, 29, of Mundelein.

In that incident, according to a department use-of-force report filed by Hartmann, Carcamo “refused to comply” with the police officer’s repeated commands to leave Flanagan’s sports bar at Buckley Road and Route 41. Hartmann “brought the subject down to the ground in an attempt to arrest him,” according to the report.

Carcamo’s injuries included lacerations to the face, a fractured eye socket and a concussion. Carcamo told his attorneys Hartmann smashed his face into the tiled vestibule floor of the bar and again several times on the squad car. The report filed by Hartmann left blank fields asking if first aid or medical treatment was required. No shift commander signed the form.

The law firm is also representing the family of Darrin “Dagwood” Hanna, who died a week after his Nov. 6 arrest. Last week, lawyers released results of a commissioned re-autopsy of Hanna’s remains that found trauma was a key factor in his death.

Hanna’s mother, Gloria Carr, said during a North Chicago City Council committee meeting Monday that her son might not be dead if certain officers had been disciplined. She compared officers caught on a patrol car video in October 2009 punching and kicking an already prone Van Alston, a 61-year-old dialysis patient, to a “pack of wolves.”

“My son was killed by six officers and it was trauma that caused his death.” Carr said. “I am truly, truly hurt. And I am going to continue to fight.”

Results of investigations into Hanna’s death by the Illinois State Police and the Lake County Coroner are expected by Friday. Hanna’s family members and others the state to prosecute.

“We believe we have an abundance of evidence,” said Ralph Peterson, first cousin to Hanna, who has been leading the charge against “rogue” policing. “We have no quarrel with (Lake County State’s Attorney) Waller. We believe he will do what’s right.”

Collison & O’Connor has already won settlements for Alston and Walter White, 77, who was beaten on a traffic stop in 2010. The firm also plans to represent Paul Smith, who was punched by Officer Emir King in a booking room incident caught on surveillance tape, also in 2010.

King was recently given a 15-day suspension without pay. He must also attend anger management classes and will sign a “last chance” agreement.

Interim Police Chief James Jackson, who took over the department last month, is also investigating a 2010 road rage incident in Gurnee involving off-duty officer William Bogdala, who was not charged in the incident. Bogdala was also a responding officer in the Charles Smith arrest.

A use of force report he filed — Hartmann did not complete one — made no mention of Smith’s attempt to escape, and stipulated that no medical attention was required. The form was signed by a shift commander, Sgt. Freddrick Diez.

City Attorney Smith said Jackson is moving quickly to review all accusations of excessive force.

“He’s meting-out what discipline he feels is appropriate and fair in a consistent manner,” Smith said.

Jackson could not be reached for comment.

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