CHICAGO CITY HALL — A City Council committee approved $3.2 million in new police settlements Monday stemming from two police killings, including a man shot 14 times in the back as he tried to drive away with an officer pinned under his car.The Finance Committee approved a $2.2 million settlement in the 2005 shooting of Emmanuel Lopez, 23. According to Assistant Corporation Counsel Jenny Notz, Lopez was involved in a September 2005 hit-and-run accident and ensuing chase that ended near Kedzie Avenue and 37th Place.
Notz said police would have testified that Lopez drove a car that "glanced" off an officer, who was then "pinned underneath the car." When Lopez attempted to leave the car and flee, he was shot 16 times, 14 in the back. Four of five officers on the scene fired shots, including one off-duty officer who later admitted having a couple of beers before becoming embroiled in the pursuit and shooting.
Lopez was found to have an alcohol level at least twice the legal limit for driving.
"If this case went to trial, we could defend this case," Notz said.
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