Brutality lawsuit filed by former Cook County Jail inmate

CHICAGO (AP) - An excessive force lawsuit has been filed in federal court against the Cook County sheriff's office by a former inmate who claims he was beaten by a corrections officer.

Randall Brown said Thursday he was in a holding cell in July 2013 when guard Branden Norise began an attack that continued after he collapsed to the floor. At the time, Brown was being held on a misdemeanor drug charge that was later dropped.

A surveillance video shows Brown being struck by Norise. Cara Smith of the sheriff's office says the video of Brown's beating was "horrific," adding the lawsuit was not unexpected.

Sheriff Dart said he's tried to fire Norise, but the officer is protected by the union. Officials at Teamsters Local 700 haven't responded to calls for comment on the lawsuit.