Destroy/conceal/fabricate evidenceWitness manipulationFalse arrest or reportHospitalizedDied out of custody
Plaintiff:
David Koschman
Incident date:
04/25/2004
Location:
35 W. Division St.
Allegations:
David Koschman was walking with a group of people near Division and Wells streets in April 2004, when they encountered a group that included Richard Vanecko, a nephew of then-mayor Richard M. Daley. The groups got into a verbal argument. Suddenly, without provocation, Vanecko punched Koschman in the face, knocking him to the ground. Koschman hit his head on the pavement, resulting in skull fractures and massive internal bleeding. Within hours of the incident, Daley or a close associate learned about Vanecko's involvement and reached out to high-ranking Police Department officials who immediately stopped the investigation. Koschman never regained consciousness and died in the hospital about two weeks later. His death was ruled a homicide and the investigation was reopened. Detectives changed and fabricated reports and concealed evidence from witness statements in order to minimize or hide Vanecko's involvement and portray Koschman as the aggressor. The reports were used by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office to avoid bringing criminal charges against Vanecko.In 2011, a new investigation was ordered by then-Supt. Jody Weis, but detectives once again fabricated information and conspired with Daley's office and the State's Attorney's Office to ensure that Vanecko wouldn't be charged. In 2012, a Cook County judge appointed a special prosecutor in the case. After he was indicted, Vanecko pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.