Bernard Kersh, 29, who was body-slammed to the ground by a police officer in November 2019, has filed a suit against the city of Chicago, according to a Feb. 6, 2020, report.
Officer Jerald Williams is being accused of using excessive force when he slammed Kersh into the ground on Nov. 28, 2019. The incident occurred near Cottage Grove Avenue and 79th Street. This incident was caught on a cell phone video.
Have you or a loved one been involved in an accident? Speak to a lawyer for a free no obligation consultation
Or call us at (888) 699-7975
In the video, viewers can see Kersh’s head hitting the curb. He does not move during the rest of the video.
Williams also is an MMA fighter. Geoffrey Alpert, who is a criminal justice expert, agrees that it was unnecessary to throw Kersh to the ground. Alpert believes this was excessive force that did not have any justification.
The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court against both Williams and the city. It accuses Williams of willful and wanton conduct.
The lawsuit states that Kersh suffered injuries to his neck, shoulder, and head. Kersh is also in danger of losing the sight in his left eye, according to the suit.
According to police, officers stopped Kersh because he was drinking alcohol at a bus stop. Kersh reportedly resisted arrest and spat at a police officer.
After the incident, Williams and another officer who was involved were stripped of their police powers. They are currently under investigation by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.
Kersh currently suffers from schizophrenia and other mental health issues.