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The United States Supreme Court (click here) has agreed to hear the case of a Joliet man who claims he was maliciously prosecuted when the Joliet Police Department falsified the results of a drug test.
Elijah Manuel was arrested March 18, 2011 on a charge of possession with intent to distribute ecstasy. Manuel was riding in a car with his brother when they were pulled over for failing to signal.
A Joliet police officer claimed he smelled cannabis. “Without warning, the officer flung open the passenger’s door and dragged Manuel out. The officer pushed Manuel to the ground, handcuffed him, and then punched and kicked him,” according to court documents.
After a pat down, the officer found a bottle of pills. The pills were tested by officers at the scene, who allegedly falsified the results to show the pills were ecstasy. Manuel said the pills were vitamins.At a March 31 grand jury proceeding, police allegedly continued to lie about the results.
An April 1, 2011 lab report claimed the pills were not ecstasy but vitamins. However, Manuel was still arraigned on April 8. A dismissal of the charges was not sought until May 4, 2011. Manuel was released the next day.
Manuel sued the City of Joliet and Joliet police officers April 10, 2013. The court dismissed most of the claims. On appeal, Manuel argued malicious prosecution, but the Seventh Circuit Court United States of Appeals decided that while Manuel’s lawyer gave a strong argument, it would not go against precedent and said “Manuel’s argument is better left for the Supreme Court.”
The United States Supreme Court (click here) has agreed to hear the case of a Joliet man who claims he was maliciously prosecuted when the Joliet Police Department falsified the results of a drug test.
Elijah Manuel was arrested March 18, 2011 on a charge of possession with intent to distribute ecstasy. Manuel was riding in a car with his brother when they were pulled over for failing to signal.
A Joliet police officer claimed he smelled cannabis. “Without warning, the officer flung open the passenger’s door and dragged Manuel out. The officer pushed Manuel to the ground, handcuffed him, and then punched and kicked him,” according to court documents.
After a pat down, the officer found a bottle of pills. The pills were tested by officers at the scene, who allegedly falsified the results to show the pills were ecstasy. Manuel said the pills were vitamins.At a March 31 grand jury proceeding, police allegedly continued to lie about the results.
An April 1, 2011 lab report claimed the pills were not ecstasy but vitamins. However, Manuel was still arraigned on April 8. A dismissal of the charges was not sought until May 4, 2011. Manuel was released the next day.
Manuel sued the City of Joliet and Joliet police officers April 10, 2013. The court dismissed most of the claims. On appeal, Manuel argued malicious prosecution, but the Seventh Circuit Court United States of Appeals decided that while Manuel’s lawyer gave a strong argument, it would not go against precedent and said “Manuel’s argument is better left for the Supreme Court.”
