Chicago union fuming over ruling in medic attack
"My complaint is with the system that allows this to happen"
NBC
CHICAGO — The Chicago Firefighters Union is expressing outrage that a man convicted of attacking two fire paramedics walked out of court this week with a virtual slap on the wrist. Jonathan Soto of Bartlett was charged with four counts of aggravated battery for the 2011 incident, but a Cook County judge convicted him on only a lesser misdemeanor charge.
"My complaint is with the system that allows this to happen," said union president Tom Ryan. "We are going to make it our mission to make sure that if this happens again, that we are going to do anything in our power to make sure they are punished to fullest extent of the law."
The incident in question occurred May 21, 2011, when paramedics Margaret Heckman and Michelle Martinez were called to the 300 block of west Institute Place, where a man was reportedly lying unresponsive on the sidewalk. Martinez recalled that she and her colleague assisted the man, who appeared to be intoxicated, to their ambulance and prepared to take him to the hospital. "I heard scuffling in the back, and I said, 'Margaret are you OK?'" Martinez said. "She said, 'No, he just bit me.'"
Full story: Firefighters Fuming Over Ruling in Paramedic Attack
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Daniel Larson Monday, December 24, 2012 6:58:30 PM In Texas, at least, putting your hands on one of us is the same, legally, as putting your hands on an officer.
Probably better stick to assaulting cops. 
Glenn Hathaway Monday, December 24, 2012 7:50:45 PM If that had happened to the daughter of the Judge I bet the sentence would have been different. 
Jon Geise Monday, December 24, 2012 8:49:54 PM To hell with the court issue tazers to the EMS crews and see if that solves the problem. 
Wayland Slater Thursday, December 27, 2012 7:24:30 PM What was the reasoning that it was OK to strike EMS personel? Because he was drunk? I know that there are laws that assaulting someone with EMS, Fire, Security, and other first responders is the same as if it were assaulting a Police Officer. Punishment should equal that law. 
Lane McElree Friday, December 28, 2012 12:20:41 PM it is normal, Judges are weak, and DA only want BIg cases. 
