Black Teen who accused Calumet City cops of brutality appears in court

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 ]