CHICAGO (AP) – The trial is underway of the wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Chicago and a police officer resulting from the 2015 fatal shooting of a teenager and a bystander.
Attorneys offered competing accounts of the shooting of 19-year-old Quintonio LeGrier and 55-year-old Bettie Jones by Officer Robert Rialmo.
Daniel Watkins, representing the LeGrier family, highlighted Rialmo’s conflicting accounts of his position when he opened fire. Watkins noted shell casings were scattered in front of the house, suggesting Rialmo was a significant distance away when he fired at the teen, who fell inside the building.
City attorney Brian Gainer said Rialmo had a split second to react in a life-or-death situation when he opened fire on an “out-of-control” LeGrier.
Rialmo’s attorney, Joel Brodsky, said LeGrier was swinging a bat at the police officer when shots were fired.
A Chicago police disciplinary body has ruled Rialmo was unjustified in the shooting and recommended his firing.
