All charges dropped against cop in fatal crash (Chicago cop, drunk killed two)

Chicago Tribune ^ | June 4, 2010 | Matt Walberg

[Second Amendment First]

With a judge's earlier ruling that Chicago Police Officer John Ardelean had been arrested and detained without probable cause, Cook County prosecutors today dropped all charges against him in a crash that killed two people.

The 36-year-old officer was charged with drunken driving and reckless homicide after his SUV broadsided a car on Thanksgiving 2007.

[cherry]

well I was just reading how those Liberian “boys” who gang raped the 8 yro girl are all getting charges dropped or having probation only....I suppose the little girl can just forget the whole thing happened because apparently to the law, it didn’t happen...

[cherry]

its called anarchy.....people won’t be trampled on forever.....the dam is going to break...

[Lancey Howard]

Anybody who depends on cops and judges and courts for “justice” is a fool.
Most of the time, only the friends and family of those killed can extract real justice.
I sure would if the victims were my family members. Que sera sera...

[a real Sheila]

I hope the family WILL do what the family SHOULD do.

I would not rest if someone did this to my family.

[DariusBane]

How about we try:

1. Enforcing existing laws when a crime is committed.
2. Leaving the rest of us alone otherwise.
3. Leave your precious checkpoints for Iraq and North Korea.

Checkpoints won’t guarantee anybody’s safety. Nothing on this earth can guarantee safety. Only God can guarantee your safety, and most times he won’t either. So good luck and leave the State out of playing God.

[starlifter]

So, professional courtesy is the term you use ignoring the principle of equal protection under the law. If LE was the same as any other profession they would be held accountable for their actions. A plumber giving a break to an electrician is professional courtesy.

But you admit to letting “brother[s]” abscond under the guise of “professional courtesy.” Somehow I doubt “professional courtesy” ends at speeding. It's not a balance despite your empty assurances, it's a pathetic self rationalization.

By your own words, you admit to being corrupt. Ever wonder why public confidence in the law enforcement industry is plummeting?

[Centurion2000]

First I’m a Deputy Sheriff, second I will cut a brother slack on a speeding violation

There's your problem right there. Equal enforcement of the law.

[PROSOUTH]

I made an honest statement about my profession and you make unfounded accusations against me. I have discretion in how I address a stop and as I stated I let more of your type slide with a warning than I ever have had opportunity to another officer, so I guess letting the public off with a warning will have to stop huh? No more lowering the speed you carelessly run on the citation to soften the impact on your insurance rate.

Why do I ask for this abuse? I should have told you I was a Lawyer, Politician or anything instead of the Officer that pulls your kid from a wreck or walks down that dark alley at night to get the booger you are afraid of. Why don’t you just lay us all off since you don’t need us and fend for yourself? It’s a good thing rough men like me stand ready to protect wusses like you that hide behind a computer screen. BTW stay safe.

[starlifter]

Sorry, not buying your sack cloth and ashes. There are no unfounded accusations against you, merely your own words. You stated quite clearly you cut breaks to “brother officers.” That’s not discretion, that’s corruption.

You have a heroic narrative...”pulling my kid from a wreck...” or “walking down a dark alley...” Spare us the drama. Sorry that many of us used to buy into it, but actions of the LE industry made us rethink that confidence. Frankly the actions (an inactions) of far too many in your industry leave many of us disgusted.

I’ve no idea if you are rough or not, but typically rough men don’t have to tell people they are rough. Stop being a martyr and believing the FOP propaganda.

[88keys]

We don't know what really happened yet...probable cause, probable suspicion all the way around, tragic ending for all involved.

Still seems to me we shouldn't be leaping to any conclusions. A perfectly sober person, not speeding, could t-bone another vehicle that ran a stop sign and went right into their right-of-way path, with the same results. A terrible fate for all.

Don't know anything about this officer, or the Chicago police in general...some Departments have more bad than good, but for the sake of the good ones (who will eventually get rid of the bad ones), I'll withhold judgement about this one!

One thing I am sure about: it's nothing to do with racism, or inequal justice for minorities or poor people. We don't know yet if police corruption or political cronyism is involved, but that's another issue, and I have faith that the truth will out!

Facts are inconvenient things, but that's why we're FReepers, and I'm trusting you'll be watching this whole situation with full and fair skepticism! (if you know side street Chicago speed limits, I'm guessing you're somewhat nearby/local...keep us posted, please!)

[1010RD]

Agreed. Thanks for your insights.

[BlueDragon]

I'm not a LEO, don't have relatives who are, etc., but PROSOUTH isn't out of line, "cutting slack" for a traffic offense.

I've been let off with a warning more than once. Another time written up for 75 in a 55 while riding a motorcycle, and we both knew he was doing me a huge favor trimming off about 5mph.

I paid the the ticket.

As far as police really "protecting" anyone, They don't have to, by law... even though many of their duties and activities do result in greater safety.

However, in regards to one example of police 'protection' PROSOUTH alluded to;
I could more readily deal with the boogey-man in the dark alley, myself, if MY SECOND ADMENDMENT RIGHTS WHERE NOT near CONSTANTLY TRASHED by your "brethren".