Woman Says Cop Fractured Her Face

CHICAGO (CN) - A Chicago cop fractured a woman's face by pressing his fist against her nose for "3 to 5 minutes," telling her he was going to "push (her) nose through (her) brain," and fractured her face, the woman claims in court.

Rita King sued Commander Glenn Evans and the City of Chicago in Federal Court.

"On April 10, 2011, Chicago police officers were called to plaintiff's residence due to a domestic disturbance," the complaint states. "An unknown female police officer approached plaintiff with a Taser drawn; ordered her to extinguish her cigarette; handcuffed [her]; and transported plaintiff to the 6th District with an unknown male officer.

"At the police station, plaintiff was escorted to a processing room where she was handcuffed to a table and questioned.

"Sometime later, an unknown police officer attempted to fingerprint plaintiff. Plaintiff refused to be fingerprinted and asked the police officer why she was under arrest. The police officer responded saying 'we know somebody who can get your fingerprints.'

"Defendant Evans then entered the processing room and ordered a number of officers to restrain plaintiff. Defendant Evans proceeded to violently press his fist into plaintiff's nose for approximately 3 to 5 minutes saying, numerous times, that he was going to 'push [her] nose through [her] brain.' Plaintiff experienced excruciating pain; profusely bled; and feared for her life," King claims. (Brackets in complaint.)

King says she was then fingerprinted and released.

"Plaintiff left the police station; walked approximately one block; and lost consciousness for approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Plaintiff eventually regained consciousness and called a friend to transport her to a hospital for medical care," according to the complaint.

"Plaintiff was treated at Roseland Hospital for a facial fracture," King says.

She claims Evans has a history of complaints of excessive force, and "has been named a defendant in at least five other lawsuits pursuant to his role as a Chicago police officer."

Nevertheless, "in August 2012, defendant Evans was promoted by Superintendent McCarthy to Commander of the 3rd District," King says in the complaint.

She claims that "the City of Chicago has a widespread practice of failing to discipline and/or punish police officers for the use of excessive force. This de facto policy encourages Chicago police officers to engage in misconduct with impunity and without fear of official consequences."

King seeks punitive damages for excessive force.

She is represented by Patrick Morrissey.

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