Cook County state’s attorneys win defense verdict in § 1983 Case

Client(s) Magats, Joseph and Fogarty, Martin

On April 13, 2017, a federal jury returned a unanimous defense verdict in favor of Jones Day clients, current and former Cook County Assistant State’s Attorneys Joseph Magats and Martin Fogarty. Plaintiff alleged that seven Chicago police officers, along with Mr. Fogarty and Mr. Magats, violated plaintiff’s constitutional and state-law rights by forcing him to confess to crimes he did not commit, fabricating evidence against him, and concealing other evidence supporting his alleged innocence.  Plaintiff sought $20-$40 million in compensatory damages, plus punitive damages.

The case proceeded to trial on March 6, 2017 and lasted nearly six weeks. After two days of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous defense verdict for Mr. Magats and Mr. Fogarty on all of the plaintiff’s claims against them. Jones Day assisted the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in defending Mr. Magats and Mr. Fogarty at trial.

Deon Patrick v. City of Chicago, et al., No. 14-cv-3658 (N.D. Ill. April 13, 2017)