Former alderman loses suit against Des Plaines police

Former alderman loses suit against Des Plaines

A jury didn't side with a former Des Plaines alderman who accused police of using excessive force against him in 2005 while he was being arrested for throwing a toothpick at an officer.

Jurors in federal court in Chicago took about five hours over the course of Thursday and Friday to deliberate on the claims made by Wayne Adams, a 64-year-old former police sergeant and Des Plaines alderman. Adams represented himself during the trial, as he is also an attorney.

Adams, now living in Mount Prospect, accused Des Plaines police officers in the suit of verbally and physically abusing him on May 20, 2005. He was seeking at least $1.65 million.

The May 2005 incident began when police officers discovered Adams on the lot at O'Hare Honda, 1533 S. River Road, after the dealer was closed for the day. Adams told them he wanted to look at a yellow sports car.

In the lawsuit, he claimed officers forced him against a wall with his arms twisted behind him, and that officers hurt his genital area.

After they took him to the police station, Adams was charged with battery after throwing a toothpick at one detective. A jury in October 2006 found Adams innocent of battery in the toothpick incident.

"As the trial went on, the facts became more preposterous," said Ellen K. Emery, a lawyer for the city. "I'm absolutely ecstatic that none of the officers walked out of the courtroom with the tag of 'bad cop.'"

When asked why Adams was charged with battery, Emery said the toothpick came from his mouth and was similar to someone spitting on another person.

The trial, which lasted five days, included testimony from the police officers and a re-enactment of the toothpick incident.

Adams on Friday would say only that he hadn't decided whether to appeal the verdict.

During the trial, Emery opposed Adams' claim that he deserved special consideration because he was a former public servant. Adams was on the Des Plaines police force from 1966 to 1980. He served as alderman from 1981 to 1989.

As a police officer in 1967, Adams wrote a three-page report explaining why preferential treatment was improper. He wrote the report when a Democratic committeeman complained after Adams pulled him over, Emery said.