A Cook County man is suing a Calumet Park police officer over claims of malicious prosecution.
Markuiest Cowans filed a lawsuit Aug. 10 in the Circuit Court of Cook County against Officer Jerald Nettles and the Village of Calumet Park, citing malicious behavior.
According to the claim, Nettles practiced mischievous manner when dealing with Cowans, who was improperly subjected to judicial proceedings for which there was no probable cause. Nettles, who allegedly has a track record of malicious behavior in previous interactions, caused personal injury to Cowans and members of his family in accusing him of criminal activity for which there was no substantial merit, the claim states.
On or about Sept. 24, 2011, Cowans was allegedly in the vicinity of a shooting when he alleges Nettles told him to get down on the ground at gunpoint, struck him, handcuffed him and placed him under arrest, according to the suit. The suit states that Cowans did not have a gun and had committed no criminal acts in Nettles' presence. Cowans was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and reckless discharge of a firearm, was kept in jail 14 days after his arrest before posting bond, and lost his job as a result of the arrest. On Nov. 21, 2014, Cowans was found not guilty in a bench trial. The suit alleges that Nettles continued to harass Cowans and his family up to the date of the trial.
Cowans is seeking justice and demands judgment against Nettles and the Village of Calumet Park and such other relief the court deems equitable and just in the eyes of a jury.
He is being represented by the Blake Horwitz Law Firm, in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L008172