Federal Jury Sides with Chicago Police Officers in 2020 Red Line Shooting

Introduction to the Case

A federal jury on Tuesday rejected claims and awarded no damages to a man who brought a lawsuit over his February 2020 shooting by a Chicago police officer inside a CTA Red Line station. The shooting followed a lengthy struggle during a rush-hour commute.

The Trial and Verdict

The jury deliberated for a little less than two hours at the end of the seven-day civil trial. In the end, it answered the call from one officer’s attorney to “send a message” to Ariel Roman, the man shot by the officer, that his actions on the train platform were “inexcusable.” The panel repeatedly watched video of Roman’s struggle with officers on Feb. 28, 2020, during which the officers also used Tasers and pepper spray to try to subdue him.

Details of the Incident

Officer Melvina Bogard, who shot Roman, told them she feared he’d push her onto the train tracks. She also said she worried he had a weapon in his jacket, which he’d reached for repeatedly. While Bogard acknowledged she intentionally fired the first shot, she testified that a second shot she fired at Roman, as he ran up an escalator, was accidental.

Background of the Officers Involved

Bogard once faced criminal charges over the shooting. But she was cleared in 2022 by Cook County Judge Joseph Claps. She resigned from the Chicago Police Department in April 2023, a CPD spokesperson said. Roman faced a lower burden of proof Tuesday with his civil claims against Bogard than prosecutors faced in her criminal trial. Roman also brought a failure-to-intervene claim against Bogard’s partner, Bernard Butler, who was also cleared by the jury.

Reaction to the Verdict

Roman and his attorneys left the Dirksen Federal Courthouse without commenting. They’d sought $5.3 million from the jury, arguing that Roman never posed a threat to the officers that justified the use of deadly force. A spokesperson for Chicago’s Law Department said “the city is pleased with the jury’s verdict.” During closing arguments, Bogard attorney Timothy Scahill told jurors they should reject the idea of a payday for Roman after he fought with officers and refused to abide by their commands.

Video Evidence

Scahill called Roman “the reason why everyday citizens are scared to ride the train in this city.”

Events Leading to the Shooting

Roman first crossed paths with Bogard and Butler when they spotted him moving between train cars on Feb. 28, 2020. Roman’s attorneys say he was trying to avoid an argument between people on another car. Much of what happened next was captured either on CTA surveillance video or a bystander’s camera. Bogard and Butler confronted Roman on the Red Line train, and the three of them stepped off at Grand to have a conversation. Their chat began calmly but devolved into a struggle — first near the train tracks, and then against a wall near a set of escalators, with Roman on the ground.

Use of Force by Officers

The officers tried to subdue Roman using Tasers and pepper spray during the roughly five-minute struggle. Eventually, after Roman got back on his feet and wiped pepper spray from his eyes, video captured Bogard shooting Roman once with her gun. Roman then ran up the escalator, with Bogard in pursuit. Another shot was heard just before Roman collapsed at the top of the escalator. Bogard followed behind him, and she could be heard declaring “b—- f—ing down.”

Testimony and Claims

“At no point was Ariel Roman a threat that would necessitate getting shot,” Brian Orozco, one of Roman’s attorneys, told the jury during opening statements. Bogard testified that, in the moments before the first shot, she felt the situation had gone “way too far.” She and her partner had already tried less lethal options, their radios weren’t working in the subway station, and she knew “no one else was coming to assist” them.

Conclusion

The verdict in this case highlights the complexities and challenges of policing, especially in high-pressure situations. The jury’s decision to side with the police officers indicates that they believed the use of force was justified given the circumstances. This outcome will likely have implications for how similar cases are handled in the future.

FAQs

• Q: What was the outcome of the federal jury trial regarding the 2020 Red Line shooting?
  A: The jury sided with the Chicago police officers and awarded no damages to the plaintiff, Ariel Roman.
• Q: What were the circumstances surrounding the shooting?
  A: The shooting occurred after a struggle between Roman and two police officers, Melvina Bogard and Bernard Butler, on a CTA Red Line train platform.
• Q: Did the officers use any other methods to subdue Roman before shooting him?
  A: Yes, they used Tasers and pepper spray during the struggle.
• Q: What was the reasoning behind Officer Bogard’s decision to shoot Roman?
  A: Bogard testified that she feared Roman would push her onto the train tracks and believed he might have a weapon in his jacket.
• Q: What are the implications of this verdict?
  A: The verdict may influence how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly regarding the use of force by police officers in high-pressure situations.