Personal Injury Law

Man Files Federal Lawsuit Against Cop and Village of Streamwood Alleging Cook County Police Brutality

Ronald Bell is suing Cpl. James Mandarino and the village of Streamwood for Illinois police brutality. Bell was beaten by Cpl. James Mandarino last March. The assault was recorded on a squad-car dashboard video.

Also named as a plaintiff in the Streamwood police brutality complaint is Glendale Heights resident Nolan Stalbaum, Bell?s brother, Stacey Bell, and sister-in-law, Sheila Bell. Stalbaum, 38, was with Bell that night, and he was Tasered by Mandarino. The incident took place in the Bells? driveway.

According to the Cook County brutality lawsuit, Mandarino apprehended Bell and Stalbaum on March 28. The police officer had reportedly been following them because he had heard squealing tires.

Footage shows the police veteran exiting the vehicle, pointing the gun at the Bell, and assaulting both men even though neither of them attempted to resist arrest. Mandarino allegedly beat Bell about 15 times with a baton, striking his neck, face, shoulders, and arms. He also shocked Stalbaum twice with a stun gun. The two men were hospitalized for their injuries. While they were charged with resisting arrest (there is no evidence of this on the video) and Bell was also charged with DUI and reckless driving, all charges against them have since been dropped.

The 10-count federal lawsuit also names other Streamwood officers as defendants. They are accused of false arrest, failure to intervene, imprisonment, conspiracy, malicious prosecution, denial of medical attention, and intentional infliction of emotional harm following the police assault incident.

The Cook County state?s attorney has charged Mandarino with official misconduct and aggravated battery. He was placed on paid administrative leave last month. A grand jury indicted him last week. Bell and Stalbaum are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

Streamwood cop charged with beating driver in traffic stop, The Daily Herald, May 28, 2010

Alleged witness describes cop beating victim, ABCLocal, April 16, 2010

Related Web Resources:

Police Brutality and Misconduct, New York Times

Village of Streamwood

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on May 28, 2010 (boomark / email).