Drunk driver responsible for killing Palestinian American in Chicago given a fine of $750
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Khadija Quadri Al Jilani
- 8 Dec 2023 15:54
- 1 Shares
5 Min Read
Despite admitting to drinking before killing a Palestinian American with her car, Leanne Cusack, only walked away with a $750 fine and 30 days with community service. This prompted public outrage.
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A few feet from Fadia, and in front of the Oak Lawn Police Station, protesters stood outside carrying banners with Kurdi's images and bold text that reads, "Justice for Murod Kurdi." (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Arwa Makki)
On Tuesday, December 5, Leanne Cusack, a driver who admitted to police she was drinking before fatally striking Murod Kurdi with her vehicle, was issued a fine of $750 and 30 hours of community service, while Kurdi’s family and the community of Bridgeview listened in horror to Judge Diana Elane Lopez’s decision in the Bridgeview courthouse.
The community and family of Kurdi had been pushing for criminal charges to be filed for nearly 6 months. On June 5, 2023, Murod Kurdi died after being struck in front of his home in Oak Lawn, while getting out of his vehicle. The incident was captured on video footage from his home’s security cameras and played for the court during Cusack’s hearing on the 6th, with his family present in the room.
Murod Kurdi was struck by Cusack and was thrown 15 feet from where he was standing. Cusack’s lawyer, Bob Olson praised the police’s response the night of the incident in court. The driver had left the scene and called her lawyer before calling the police the night of the incident. She also refused a breathalyzer when asked by an officer. "We always advise our clients not to take a breathalyzer," said Olson.
According to police reports, Cusack told police she felt a bump but wasn’t aware that she’d struck Kurdi. She claims to have stopped when she saw bystanders running to help him.
Olsan stated, "She feels terrible about the accident. But it was an accident."
David Petrich, the lawyer representing Kurdi’s family, implored that officers should have sought a warrant to draw Cusack’s blood, based on the reports of Cusack saying she had drank a "16-ounce pint and a shot of patron" an hour before. Cusack said she had been drinking at Demma’s Bar & Grill that night.
Ultimately Cusack was not criminally charged for causing Kurdi’s death. Along with 30 hours of community service, Cusack was ordered to complete 8 hours of traffic safety school and a victim impact panel. Olson admitted they would be fighting the ticket as well, and a trial in traffic court would take place in the next month.
On December 7, the Arab American Action Network (AAAN) and the community of Bridgeview organized a rally at 5 p.m. and planned a public comment session in the Oak Lawn Village Hall.
Fadia Muhamad, standing in the winter cold, put on her gloves and began her statement, "I am Murod Kurdi’s mother, my son was killed by Leanne Cusack. Yesterday we witnessed Leanne Cusack walk away with a $750 fine, at the Bridgeview courthouse, after her court hearing, She was issued a citation for failure to reduce speed. We were there for that citation. We should have been attending criminal charges such as aggravated DUI, involuntary manslaughter, or even reckless homicide. Unfortunately, for us, she got to walk away with a fine after striking and killing my son Murod while she was intoxicated. She admitted, and members of the Oak Lawn police department, the first responding officers on the scene, on June 5th, testified that they did indeed smell alcohol on Leanne Cusak’s breath. Leanne Admitted to drinking, speeding, and being on her phone. Despite all of this, Leanne Cusack refused breathalyzing tests."
"The Oak Lawn police department did not initiate a forced blood draw, did not follow proper procedure and protocol, and did indeed let Leanne Cusack walk away without facing any criminal charges or any consequences whatsoever that night. We are here today, in hopes of raising awareness and getting justice for my son Murod Kurdi. Who was killed by Leanne and is no longer with us. However, I am his voice and I will continue to raise awareness and fight for justice, as long as I can."
A few feet from Fadia, and in front of the Oak Lawn Police Station, protesters stood outside carrying banners with Kurdi's images and bold text that reads, "Justice for Murod Kurdi." Chants in front of the building were led, "Say his name! Murod Kurdi! Justice for! Murod Kurdi!"
Another chant, "No justice, No peace! No racist police!"
The Oak Lawn police stood behind the front doors of the building and protestors rallied in the cold until 6:30 p.m. The commission meeting began around 6:45 p.m.
The commissioners of the Fire & Police Commission present for the hearing included, Al Moyziz, Bob Crosby, Bob Cook, Jim Baker, Cory A Horvath, and Bill Egan. The commissioners were directly referred to and spoken to by the public, who reprimanded them for their choices and complacency in poor police conduct and Oak Lawn’s history of brutality towards the Palestinian community.
