A teen who claims he was beaten by a police officer after being picked
up for jaywalking made his first appearance in City Court on Wednesday.
Juliet Boyd, attorney for 15-year-old Don Pennington, asked for more
time because the city had not provided her with a copy of its
jaywalking ordinance. "In order to properly defend him, we need to know
what he's charged with," Boyd said. Hearing officer Clive W. Neish
continued the matter until Nov. 11. The teen, also charged with two
counts of battery against a police officer, is to appear in juvenile
court in Markham on Nov. 23. The TF North sophomore alleges he was
picked up for violating the city's jaywalking ordinance Aug. 28 and was
beaten at the police station while waiting for his parents to be
called. The family filed a brutality charge against Officer Louis
Picicco. He was placed on paid administrative leave until the Cook
County state's attorney's office completes an investigation. However,
the investigation is stalled, police said, because the teen will not
speak to investigators. His mother said he will not speak to the
state's attorney's office until its case against him is resolved. [more 
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