NATIONAL BRIEFING / ILLINOIS
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A Chicago police officer who claimed he pummeled a female bartender half his size because he thought he was in danger was found guilty of aggravated battery.
Judge John Fleming rejected Anthony Abbate’s claim that he acted in self-defense when he threw, punched and kicked Karolina Obrycka as she tended bar in February 2007. The attack, which was caught on a tavern security tape, happened after she refused to serve him more drinks.
Abbate, 40, weighs 250 pounds; his victim, 125 pounds.
He faces to up to five years in prison when he is sentenced June 23.
Abbate has been suspended and is likely to be fired.
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