Latino couple sues Rosemont over Taser in used during dubious arrest

Jose Blancas and Maria Martinez were arrested in Rosemont. See Chicago Tribune (Liam Ford).

Stephens and the other officers saw Blancas outside the apartment building and followed him inside, said Neil Toppel, the couple's lawyer. The lawsuit does not state what provoked a confrontation, but Toppel said police used a stun gun on Blancas and Martinez before arresting them.

So Blancas was already inside his aparment building when the confrontation with the police began.

Both Blancas and Martinez were charged with resisting a police officer. Blancas also was charged with public intoxication and Martinez with battery, according to the suit.

So, the only reason the police had for instigating contact with Blancas was that he was intoxicated. If you're drunk and made it home, shouldn't the police leave you alone at that point? The threat of public drunkenness has passed, right?

Someone may want to inform the Rosemont PD that in the United States we are governed by the U.S. Constitution. And even of Alberto Gonzales considers the protections of the Constitution quaint, it's the law of the land.

Fourth Amendment:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Maybe some of our law enforcement officials, like the Cook County State's Attorney or U.S. Attorney Northern Illinois District, will do the right thing and prosecute the cops involved in this case.

OBIT, Don Stephens, Rosemont Mayor

Don Stephens served as mayor of Rosemont since 1955.

As I understand it, two deals defined his life and shaped the growth of the western suburbs.

Mayor Richard J. Daley wanted some land from Rosemont to connect O'Hare Airport to the City of Chicago. Stephens struck a deal to bring city water to Rosemont.

The next deal Stephens struck to benefit his community was with Sam Giancana, an organized crime figure. Stephens bought a mob hotel being used for prostitution as part of improving Rosemont.

The FBI became suspicious that Stephens was participating in organized crime as a result of the transaction and ultimately Stephens was prosecuted by the U.S. attorney. Stephens was acquitted, but blamed the prosecution for his declining health.

Capitol Fax Blog (Rich Miller) and shsilver have blog entries.

Stephens has two sons involved in politics. Mark Stephens is the chairman of the board of Triton College. Bradley Stephens is the Leyden Township Supervisor.

See Daily Herald (Ames Boykin and Eric Krol) and Chicago Tribune (Richard Wronski with Rick Pearson and Michael Higgins) have more.

GOV, Don Stephens retrospective

ABC7 (Chuck Goudie) recorded a couple interviews with Rosemont Mayor Donald Stephens.

The interview is mostly devoted to Stephens disputing the allegation that he is connected to organized crime. He blames his health problems on the federal government hounding him about connections to organized crime. Stephens did beat a couple charges in federal court.

If I were advising Stephens I'd tell him to emphasize what's he's accomplished, not denying the allegations.

What do you think of Stephens?