"The Tribune called the ruling 'idiotic.' Law enforcement officials called it a dangerous precedent. Residents and many politicians called for Leighton's impeachment.
"Leighton not only didn't back down, he fought back, calling the public indignation over his ruling 'infantile behavior.' He noted that the defense called no witnesses during the trial. 'I'm not a fool,' the judge said. 'I'm not going to accept every word of te police officers just because the defendant doesn't deny it.'
"He said prosecution witnesses disparaged the neighborhood by saying it was frequented by 'Negroes, Puerto Ricans, Indians.'
"On March 11, Leighton released a memo painting a different picture of the October incident. The police didn't see the defendants menacing anybody. In this accounting, the officers were the aggressors.
"Leighton's reasoning didn't lessen the outrage, but time did. When two years later Leighton was nominated for the federal bench, even the Tribune editorial page approved. In 2012, the Cook County criminal courts building at 26th and Cal was renamed in Leighton's honor."
I never heard of this case, but even now, am angered by the judge's decision.
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