Michael Hart, the Skokie police officer who shoved Cassandra Feuerstein face-first into a concrete jail bench during a 2013 DUI booking, resigned from the department, pleaded guilty to felony official misconduct, received two years of probation, forfeited his police pension, and watched the Village of Skokie pay $875,000 to settle Feuerstein’s federal civil rights lawsuit.
What Happened in the Booking Area
On the night of March 10, 2013, Skokie officers found 47-year-old Cassandra Feuerstein asleep behind the wheel of her car and arrested her on suspicion of driving under the influence.1NBC Chicago. Skokie To Pay $875K in 2013 Excessive Force Settlement During booking, Hart, a 19-year veteran, became angry when Feuerstein would not look at a specific camera lens. Prosecutors said he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward an open holding cell. When she tried to steady herself in the doorway and asked for another photo, Hart put both hands on her back and shoved her inside.2CBS News Chicago. Former Skokie Cop Gets Probation for Shoving Woman in Cell
The 110-pound Feuerstein slammed face-first into an unpadded concrete bench. Her orbital bone and other facial bones were fractured. She also sustained loosened teeth, a deep gash on her cheek, and facial nerve damage. Surgeons later inserted a titanium plate to replace her shattered cheekbone, and her attorney said the nerve damage would likely persist for life.3Chicago Tribune. Skokie Pays Out $875,000 in Police Excessive Force Case From 2013
The entire sequence was captured on jail surveillance cameras. Feuerstein’s attorney, Torreya Hamilton, released the roughly four-and-a-half-minute recording on October 9, 2013. Less than twenty seconds pass between Hart calling Feuerstein out of the cell and shoving her back in.4NBC Chicago. Ex-Skokie Cop Pleads Not Guilty in Alleged Jail Assault
The Criminal Case
On October 30, 2013, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office charged Hart with felony aggravated battery and official misconduct.5Police1. Ill. Cop Charged With Battery in Videotaped Jail Cell Incident He initially pleaded not guilty. His defense attorney, Jed Stone, argued that Feuerstein had resisted a lawful order to return to the cell and emphasized that Hart had no prior misconduct allegations in his career.4NBC Chicago. Ex-Skokie Cop Pleads Not Guilty in Alleged Jail Assault
On November 12, 2014, Hart pleaded guilty to official misconduct before Cook County Judge Matthew Coghlan. The aggravated battery charge was dropped under the plea agreement. Coghlan sentenced him to two years of probation and $674 in fines, with no jail time. Prosecutors noted that Feuerstein did not oppose the deal.6Chicago Tribune. Former Skokie Cop Pleads Guilty to Injuring Woman
At sentencing, Hart read a written apology: “I did not intend to or want to harm you in any way. I acted in frustration and not out of anger or meanness.”6Chicago Tribune. Former Skokie Cop Pleads Guilty to Injuring Woman
Resignation and Lost Pension
After the charges, the Village of Skokie moved to terminate Hart for violating police rules. It was the first time in decades that a Skokie officer had been criminally charged for an on-duty incident. Rather than face termination proceedings, Hart resigned on November 15, 2013, ending his 19-year career with the department.7CBS News Chicago. Skokie Cop Accused of On-Duty Battery Resigns
The felony plea cost him his police pension. His attorney confirmed the forfeiture was a direct consequence of pleading guilty.6Chicago Tribune. Former Skokie Cop Pleads Guilty to Injuring Woman
The $875,000 Federal Settlement
On October 9, 2013, the day the surveillance video became public, Feuerstein filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging excessive force against Hart, the Village of Skokie, Sgt. Michael Healy (the supervisor on duty), and Officer Mary Escobedo. The complaint also alleged that Hart filed a false police report claiming Feuerstein had resisted, to justify the force.4NBC Chicago. Ex-Skokie Cop Pleads Not Guilty in Alleged Jail Assault
The case resolved through two related settlements in late 2015 totaling $875,000. A September 16, 2015 settlement required the three named police employees to pay $625,000, though the village accepted financial responsibility for that amount. A September 24, 2015 court order assigned an additional $250,000 in liability to the Village of Skokie. The agreement barred further litigation.3Chicago Tribune. Skokie Pays Out $875,000 in Police Excessive Force Case From 2013
Healy had retired in 2014 after 30 years of service. Escobedo remained with the department and was never found to have committed any wrongdoing, according to Skokie Corporation Counsel Michael Lorge, who called the incident an isolated matter.3Chicago Tribune. Skokie Pays Out $875,000 in Police Excessive Force Case From 2013
What Happened to Feuerstein’s DUI
Feuerstein pleaded guilty to the underlying DUI and was sentenced to one year of court supervision.2CBS News Chicago. Former Skokie Cop Gets Probation for Shoving Woman in Cell A separate resisting arrest charge, which stemmed from Hart’s report, was dropped by the State’s Attorney.1NBC Chicago. Skokie To Pay $875K in 2013 Excessive Force Settlement