By Mitch Smith, Chicago Tribune reporter
September 25, 2013
Cook County jurors awarded $1 million Tuesday to a man who
they agreed was wrongly held in jail for more than a year.
John Collins, now 42, was arrested in 2006 and spent 385
days in the Cook County Jail before he was acquitted of aggravated battery to a
police officer, his lawyers said. Collins, a barber, was behind bars for the
birth of his first child, according to his attorneys.
In Tuesday's civil case, jurors found against the city and
Chicago police Officer Michael Garza on a count of malicious prosecution. The
city prevailed on a separate count alleging battery by Garza and his partner.
Collins was awarded $100,000 for emotional distress and $900,000 for loss of a
normal life.
In a statement on the judgment, Roderick Drew, a spokesman
for the city's Law Department, broached the possibility of an appeal.
"We are disappointed with the verdict in this
case," the statement read. "We will be exploring all available
options, including an appeal."
mitsmith@tribune.com
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