Chicago Sun-Times: Cop who said he wouldn't get a break gets a break

[ACW]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/22...ling08.article

Craig Lancaster wanted to prove that Chicago Police officers are treated the same as others when they break the law, Cook County prosecutors said.

So in a drunken argument with a friend last summer, prosecutors said, the 41-year-old veteran officer shot a gun in the air outside an Ashburn bowling alley where he also worked security -- and waited.

Within minutes, Lancaster appeared to have won the debate when officers arrived on the scene and arrested him. He was charged with two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm.

But on Friday, some might argue, he caught a break -- but seemingly lost the argument.

Judge Marcus Salone acquitted Lancaster, who was apparently captured on surveillance cameras with his arms in the air. Lancaster could be seen on video holstering a gun seconds later as he walked back into the Bluebird Lanes Bowling Alley, at 3900 W. Columbus, prosecutors said.

[rincewind]

I like how you stop your quote before all of this:

Lancaster unjammed the gun and both men went inside, Sanchez said. Soon, officers arrived. Sanchez also was arrested for possession of cannabis.

Gunshot residue tests from both men came back negative and an off-duty officer who saw the gunfire described the shooter as a Hispanic man in a hoodie, according to court testimony. Lancaster, an African American, was wearing a button-down shirt at the time of the incident.

Lancaster was relieved of powers and was placed in an administrative position following his arrest. The Independent Police Review Authority is investigating the case, police said.

Sounds like, if you believe the eyewitness, the guy who was actually breaking the law (by holding) also shot the gun. Seems like they made the right move - stripped of his powers and acquitted him.

[grhqofb5]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/22...ling08.article

Did Lancaster admit to any of this?