CHICAGO -- Advocacy groups slammed the new Cook County State's Attorney on Wednesday for dropping charges against an Oak Lawn police officer involved in a violent arrest that was widely shared on social media, sparking outrage.
The decision comes one day before the start of Oak Lawn police officer Patrick O'Donnell's bench trial, which stemmed from a July 2022 arrest caught on video, which showed the law enforcement official repeatedly battering a teen police say had a gun.
Charges brought forth against O'Donnell allege that he used excessive force amid the arrest of then-17-year-old Hadi Abuatelah.
Muhammad Sankari with the Arab American Action Network called the Cook County State's Attorney's Office's decision a terrible injustice. He has stood by Abuatelah's family since the violent encounter that unfolded as officers attempted to take the then-17-year-old into custody after he ran from a traffic stop.
"It's very clear the new State's Attorney Eileen Burke wanted to send a message today. She just took office," Sankari said.
Abuatelah suffered a broken pelvis and bleeding in his brain. Sankari claimed the officer's force was uncalled for and criticized Cook County's decision to dismiss the charges.
"One of her first actions as State's Attorney is not to try to solve the numerous unsolved murders but rather to vacate the charges against an officer who beat a minor almost to death in the street," Sakari said.
O'Donnell faced charges of aggravated battery and official misconduct.
**WARNING: The video above may be disturbing to watch. Viewer discretion is advised.
The Oak Lawn Police Department declined to comment on the case due to pending civil litigation. However, its police chief has defended O'Donnell's actions in the past, claiming that Abuatelah was carrying a bag and attempted to grab a gun while on the ground.
Police added that the traffic stop was also lawful, pointing to the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and an expired tag.
Authorities later charged Abuatelah with unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest. Activists believe the Abuatelah 's traffic stop was racially motivated and continue to demand accountability.
"We're not ones to give up a fight," Sankari said. "We were very clear from the beginning. This isn't about one case. It's not about one officer. It's not about one team. It's about our community and the systemic problem in Oak Lawn."
WGN News contacted the State Attorney's office for comment:
After a thorough review, we concluded that the evidence is insufficient to meet our burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt to move forward with the prosecution of this case. Prosecutors must evaluate the evidence at every stage of a criminal proceeding, and act accordingly in the pursuit of justice. Throughout the pendency of this case, the CCSAO has been in communication with the victim, his family, and attorney as we sought an appropriate resolution. Today we asked the court to dismiss the case, and the court granted our motion."
Several activists and supporters told WGN News they plan to protest the dismissal of Officer O'Donnell's charges outside Burke's office on Thursday.