Allegations:
Howard and a group of onlookers were near the intersection of West Barry and North Broadway Avenue watching police make an arrest. Howard made a comment to another bystander about the arrest as Officer Torres walked past them. Torres asked, “What did you say?” grabbed Howard by his shirt, and pulled him from the sidewalk up against a parked car on the street. Torres then attacked Howard, kicked him in the groin with his knee and foot, handcuffed him, and threw him face-first into his police car. Howard was taken in the police car to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital, where doctors found he had chipped teeth, lacerations and bruises, and a dislocated hip. He received 13 stiches and continued to need additional treatment at area hospitals for nearly two years.