Alleged beating by cops probed

Belleville News-Democrat

March 23, 2008

Three East St. Louis police officers are being investigated by the Illinois State Police after a man said he was beaten at a nightclub.

Police Chief Michael Baxton would not identify the police officers or the victim.

LaChien Scott, 35, of East St. Louis, said he was beaten by the off-duty officers. Scott also said he was charged with battery after the fight Thursday night at Blackmon's Plaza nightclub, 127 Collinsville Ave. in East St. Louis.

One of the officers declined to comment. The other two could not be reached for comment. Baxton said the officers will remain on duty until he gets more information.

Cheryle Johnson, Scott's aunt, said the altercation with the officers was over a woman.

Scott said the woman bumped into him at the club. 'I grabbed her hand and asked her why she bumped into me,' Scott said.

Scott said one of the officers walked over to him and told him not to say anything to the woman.

'He took off his handcuffs and struck me in the eye,' Scott said. 'The other two officers with him slid their handcuffs over their hands and made fists with the round part of the handcuffs exposed. They hit me in the back of the head,' Scott said.

He said he received about 60 staples because of the wounds he suffered.

Baxton said he couldn't go into any details about the matter because a police investigation is just getting under way.

Baxton said Scott's relatives filed a complaint against the three officers.

Illinois State Police Lt. Mark Bramlett confirmed that Illinois State Police received the case Friday. Bramlett said he does not know how long the investigation will take.

Contact reporter Carolyn P. Smith at 239-2503.

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