Police, Chicago men settle brutality suit for $325,000

Cathy Scott

Tuesday, April 21, 1998 | 10:01 a.m.

Taxpayers will be giving $325,000 to three brothers from Chicago to settle a police brutality federal lawsuit against six Metro Police officers for a 1994 New Year's celebration on Fremont Street.

The settlement, which until Monday was sealed by U.S. Magistrate David Hagen, was approved unanimously by the Fiscal Affairs Committee at a meeting Monday.

Before the second day of the federal trial was to begin on April 7, Metro offered its second settlement. The first, for $150,000, was refused two days earlier, attorney Robert Kossack, representing the brothers, said.

"Metro more than doubled their original offer," Kossack said after the hearing Monday.

He said the Bratchers, brothers James, Robert and Walter, are relieved the four-year-old case is over.

"The Bratcher brothers got a great deal of vindication by seeing their case presented to a jury for just one day. Most of the officers walked up to them after the settlement was announced and apologized. That really made them feel good."

The settlement equates to $50,000 per officer, plus court costs, Kossack said. The officers named as defendants in the case were Deputy Chief Richard McKee, Lt. Larry Spinosa, Sgt. Kent Kirk, former officer Brian Nicholson and officers William Scott and James Carroll.

The melee began about 12:30 a.m. on New Year's Day as officers wearing riot gear tried to clear the street of revelers.

The beatings and clubbings were captured on surveillance videotape, which was shown to the jury during opening statements of the trial.