Chicago, IL

Bodycam video shows Jussie Smollett being taken into custody at Cook County Jail

Published

2 years ago

April 7, 2022

CHICAGO (WLS) — TV star Jussie Smollett was patted down and processed identical to another legal about to be locked up within the Cook dinner County Jail.

There are video and audio recordings of the entire thing. One sheriff’s deputy is heard reassuring Smollett he’s “in protected fingers.”

RELATED | Jussie Smollett yells ‘I’m not suicidal!’ in courtroom outburst after sentencing

Authorities took the weird step after Smollett instructed he won’t be protected whereas in jail.

After Smollett was sentenced on March 10, he yelled, “I’m not suicidal!” His outburst was heard by hundreds of thousands, however what occurred subsequent is simply being seen now.

A staff of sheriff’s deputies escorted Smollett to jail. Video and audio from a pair of body-worn cameras reveals what seems to be just like the opening scene of a jail film.

The I-Group obtained the video underneath a Freedom of Data Act submitting. Simply minutes from his 150-day sentence for mendacity a couple of hate crime he made up and staged, Smollett is searched after which led by means of a protracted tunnel between court docket and jail, by deputies who say they do that every so often.

ALSO SEE: Digital Streaming Particular: The Smollett Case

“Mr. Smollett, we’re the ERT staff, the Emergency Response Group, we deal with all of the high-profile guys, we dealt with R. Kelly when he was right here,” one deputy stated.

“The truth that he had made false accusations in opposition to folks previously and being a high-profile goal, these two parts of the scenario I feel would have documented this sort of video and audio recording of the occasions,” former deputy U.S. Marshal Ed Farrell informed the I-Group.

WATCH | Key moments in Jussie Smollett case

Farrell has arrested a whole lot of legal suspects and says having audio of how Smollett was handled is essential.

“You are documenting each side, audio and visible, which provides a greater recording to the general public to make sure that they’ve transparency with what transpired,” stated Farrell.

At one level, the entourage guarding Smollett stops and orders oncoming workers to get out of the best way. The video ends in a cell as Smollett is given his jail wardrobe.

Utilizing bodycams to file prisoner transports isn’t typical. A spokesman for the Cook dinner County Sheriff says they use applicable security and safety measures, suggesting that cameras had been to ensure that Smollett.

In Lake County, Illinois, jail officers say fastened cameras are utilized in sure areas, however physique cameras are turned on solely in very particular conditions together with medical emergencies or non-compliance.

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Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.