Calumet City mayor accuses Black Teen of blocking inquiry

Calumet City's mayor on Tuesday accused a 15-year-old of obstructing the city's investigation into the teen's allegations of police brutality. Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush said in a news release that Don Pennington Jr. has "refused to agree to answer questions regarding what occured the afternoon of his arrest." Pennington accuses the police of beating him severely without provocation after a jaywalking arrest. Police, in turn, have charged Pennington with attacking police officers. Pennington's lawyers call the mayor's comments "absurd." "It's absurd for Calumet City to expect Mr. Pennington to agree to be interviewed by the same state's attorney's office that is prosecuting him for allegedly assaulting the police officers who have beaten him," Elliot Richardson said.City officials have refused to comment on what they believe happened that day, but have charged Pennington with aggravated battery to a police officer. Police union president Kevin Glaser said officers were injured by Pennington, who was "an out-of-control youth.  [more ]

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