Inmate Stabbed 14 Times, Says Guards Watched
CHICAGO (CBS) - An inmate claiming he was stabbed 14 times while in custody as jail guards watched, filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against Cook County, Sheriff Thomas Dart and the two guards.
Cook County Jail inmate Antonio Allison claims other detainees stabbed him 14 times and beat him with metal lunch trays Oct. 31, 2009, while two Cook County Sheriff's officers watched, according to a suit filed in U.S. District Court.
Allison was brought to Cook County Jail on charges of aggravated vehicular hijacking and armed robbery, Cook County Sheriff's office spokesman Steve Patterson said. He was convicted and sent to Statesville prison Sept. 10, 2010.
Patterson said on Oct. 28, 2009, Allison, a member of the New Breeds street gang, stabbed a rival gang man in the face multiple times. The New Breeds and the rival gang had been feuding on the streets at the time, Patterson said.
Allison was charged with possession of contraband, a shank, but the victim declined to pursue further charges, Patterson said.
Allison told Cook County Sheriff's Lt. Hudson on Oct. 29, 2009, that other detainees on his deck wanted to kill him and he had to be moved, according to the suit.
Patterson said the maximum security facility where he was being held was on lock-down during the feud between the two gangs.
Cook County Sheriff's officer, Gallagher let Allison out of his cell about 10 a.m. Oct. 31, 2009, so he could be moved and allowed him to make a phone call on the deck, the suit said.
On Oct. 31, 2009, Allison was the victim of a stabbing, Patterson said. Allison was interviewed three times, and each time he was asked if he would like to file a complaint against his attackers or anyone else, and each time he declined, Patterson said.
The suit claims Gallagher opened the cell doors of the detainees who wanted to kill Allison and allowed them to "put caps on the cell door locks to prevent them from locking the detainees out." Gallagher then went into the interlock area of the deck while these detainees attacked Allison, the suit said.
Allison claims Gallagher and another officer watched the attack from the interlock, and he saw the other officer "smiling" during the attack.
The suit claims Allison ran to the interlock after the attack, but the officers let him bleed for about a half hour before he was given medical attention. Allison claims he filed a grievance over the incident, but no disciplinary action has been taken against the officers.
Patterson said it is the first time the sheriff's office has heard any complaint or allegation that anyone other than rival gang members were involved in the attack.
The five-count suit claims, among other things, violation of the due process law and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Allison is seeking judgment against Cook County, Dart, Gallagher and the unidentified officer, plus the cost of the suit.
© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
