Grayslake man gets probation for cop fight

A Grayslake man was sentenced to six months in jail when not working or attending treatment when he admitted Monday to fighting with police officers who were trying to arrest him.

Matthew Coussee, 23, was also placed on probation for two years.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Ryan Kohel said police were called around midnight May 3 because Coussee would not leave a house he in which he was not welcome.

Coussee, of the 100 block of S. Slusser Street, began pounding his head against a wall when police arrived, and repeatedly refused their orders to stop.

An officer used pepper spray on Coussee, who struggled with four police officers as they tried to arrest him, Kohel said.

Officer Kurt Newman fractured his wrist in the struggle, Kohel said, and Coussee spit blood on the policemen and Grayslake Fire Department paramedics who were also present.

Coussee was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for observation, but left the hospital without permission several hours after being admitted.

Libertyville police picked him up not far from the hospital, Kohel said.

He was originally charged with aggravated battery to a police officer and resisting arrest, but Kohel agreed to drop the aggravated battery charge in exchange for a guilty plea to resisting arrest.

Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti also ordered Coussee to complete any counseling program recommended by his probation officer and perform 200 hours of public service.