Chicago Police Officers Vindicated: Federal Jury Rejects Frivolous Claim That Police Strip-Searched Byron Christmas & Tiffany Banks In A West Side Chicago Alley
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On March 4, 2010, a federal jury exonerated a 10th District Chicago Police Department tactical team accused of anally searching a man named Byron Christmas and vaginally searching his girlfriend, Tiffany Banks. The lawsuit alleged that the police officers attempted to cover up the body cavity searches by planting evidence and maliciously prosecuting Mr. Christmas and Ms. Banks. According to the officers, Christmas and Banks were arrested after they were caught selling heroin in Chicago’s Southwest side community of North Lawndale. After two days of deliberation, the jury unanimously found in favor of the officers. The jury further rejected Christmas and Banks’ inflammatory claim that their infant was abandoned in an alley at the scene of the arrests.
Although 911 evidence linking Mr. Christmas to drug dealing was not presented to the jury, the plaintiffs’ story fell apart because Ms. Banks voiced no special concern about her baby when she met with a lawyer and a physician the evening of her arrest.
Mary Ann Spillane, Shneur Nathan and Jonathan Green of the Corporation Counsel's Office represented the Chicago Police Officers. Chris Smith, Ray Smith, and Robert Johnson represented Christmas and Banks.
Way to go Corp Counsel!!!!!!
