In Chicago, a jury has been assembled for a civil rights lawsuit concerning a downtown incident involving local police and a shooting that took place some years ago.
The altercation, captured in witness video, depicts a tense encounter between Ariel Roman and Chicago police officers attempting to arrest him at the Grand CTA Red Line station in February 2020.
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During this confrontation, officers discharged their weapons, inflicting severe injuries on Roman.
RELATED: Videos of police shooting at CTA Red Line station released by COPA
The federal lawsuit scrutinizes whether the officers infringed on Roman’s civil rights by failing to attempt de-escalation before resorting to lethal force.
On Monday, the process of interviewing potential jurors extended throughout the day.
The officer who shot Roman, who was unarmed, was found not guilty of aggravated battery and official misconduct in a 2022 bench trial.
The officers used a Taser on the man, and after more than five minutes, Officer Melvina Bogard fired her weapon.
The officer’s attorneys argued she fired in self-defense.
Before announcing his verdict in the criminal case, Judge Joseph Claps recounted the incident, noting Roman ignored the officer’s commands and was allegedly carrying a large amount of drugs.
RELATED: Man shot by Chicago police at CTA Red Line station sues city, officers
Bogard’s former partner, Officer Bernard Butler, was also involved in the arrest, which was sparked by Roman allegedly walking between Red Line train cars.
Butler could be heard shouting “shoot him,” at one point in witness video.
Roman did face charges, including resisting arrest, but they were later dropped.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability recommended both officers be fired, but Bogard resigned from the police department before a disciplinary hearing could be held.
Butler was suspended for a year without pay.
Attorneys for Roman filed a federal civil suit, seeking unspecified damages.
They say the video clearly shows the officer firing at the back of an unarmed man who was not posing a threat.
Opening statements are expected to start Tuesday, and the trial is expected to last up to two weeks.
The city of Chicago did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the trial beginning.
