CHICAGO (AP) – Prosecutors have dropped criminal charges against the brother of a man fatally shot by Chicago police during a confrontation with an off-duty firefighter.
Michael Beal, of Indianapolis, had faced felony charges, including aggravated battery of a police officer. The Chicago Tribune reports Cook County prosecutors dropped all charges against the 30-year-old Beal during a hearing Thursday before Judge Carol M. Howard.
The charges followed a road rage incident between Joshua Beal and other motorists that turned violent and resulted in him being fatally shot by police .
Prosecutors alleged Michael Beal tackled an off-duty officer, put him in a headlock and threatened to kill him after his brother was shot.
Defense attorney Sara Garber says she hadn’t expected a dismissal, but is glad it happened.
The state’s attorney’s office hasn’t commented.