The shocking moment a woman was shoved face-first into a concrete jail cell bench by cops: 47-year-old landed so hard she shattered facial bones and needed reconstructive surgery

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 16:45 EST, 10 October 2013 | UPDATED: 23:12 EST, 10 October 2013

A woman is suing a police officer and the town of Skokie, Illinois, after she was seriously injured when a cop threw her into a jail cell face-first following a drunk driving arrest.

Cassandra Feuerstein, 47, claims in a federal lawsuit filed on Wednesday, that excessive force was used in the incident and that she needed reconstructive surgery to 'replace the bones that had been shattered' after being pushed into the cell on March 10.

The video of the incident clearly shows the 47-year-old being roughly shoved into the cell by an officer, who was later identified as Michael Hart.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Cell: The video shows Cassandra Feuerstein complying with police as she is patted down and searched by a female officer

Cell: The video shows Cassandra Feuerstein complying with police as she is patted down and searched by a female officer

Excessive force: After getting her mugshot taken, Cassandra is shoved roughly into the cell by the officer

Excessive force: After getting her mugshot taken, Cassandra is shoved roughly into the cell by the officer

Impact: She falls forward and strikes her head and face on the concrete bench and when she lands on the ground, a pool of blood spreads on the floor under her

Impact: She falls forward and strikes her head and face on the concrete bench and when she lands on the ground, a pool of blood spreads on the floor under her

The beginning of the prison video shows her complying with a female officer during the pat down and search and gives them her bra and shoes.

As she is shoved, she falls forward and strikes her face on the concrete bench. When she lands on the ground, a pool of blood spreads on the floor under her.

 

More...

She needed reconstructive surgery to 'replace the bones that had been shattered' after being pushed into the cell

She needed reconstructive surgery to 'replace the bones that had been shattered' after being pushed into the cell

Another officer enters the cell and pulls her head onto his lap as he attempts to stop the bleeding.

A paramedic arrives soon after and she is taken to hospital in a stretcher.

Feuerstein claims the officer then filed a false report claiming she resisted police to explain his actions, according to CBS.

'Apparently I was not looking into the camera the way the officer wanted me to', she said at a press conference yesterday, referring to having her mugshot taken right before the incident.

Her lawyer Torreya Hamilton said: 'The video speaks for itself. She does nothing to justify what this male police officer does.

'If this was a tavern fight, which of course it wasn't, it'd be like she got sucker-punched.'

The 47-year-old was charged with resisting an officer as well as drunk driving.

She pleaded guilty to the DUI. The other charge was subsequently dropped.

Feuerstein was arrested after she had pulled over, realizing she had too much to drink.

She fell asleep and was later arrested and taken to the station.

Pool of blood: Another officer enters the cell and pulls her head onto his lap as he attempts to stop the bleeding

Pool of blood: Another officer enters the cell and pulls her head onto his lap as he attempts to stop the bleeding

'Apparently I was not looking into the camera the way the officer wanted me to', she said at a press conference yesterday, referring to having her mugshot taken

'Apparently I was not looking into the camera the way the officer wanted me to', she said at a press conference yesterday, referring to having her mugshot taken

She is seeking unspecified damages.

Skokie town spokeswoman Ann Tennes said in a statement: 'The Village of Skokie expresses deep concern for Ms Cassandra Feuerstein's injuries that occurred at the Skokie Police Station earlier this year.

'Officer Michael Hart has been on station duty and has no contact with the public. Both the Village of Skokie and the Cook County State’s Attorney have ongoing investigations pending that began when the incident occurred.'


Comments (151)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Report comment

I dare not even try to imagine what must go on, in some of these places without the cctv proof of criminals in uniform. Brutalising their helpless prisons.

13
358
 Click to rate
Report comment

So yiou drink so much that you pass out on the side of the road!! I agree that the officer was WAY out of line but just don't drink and drive. Next time you could be in a coffin or kill someone else.

350
119
 Click to rate
Report comment

I get police deal with people at their worse, however this thug should be fired, charged, and sentenced to general population.

17
414
 Click to rate
Report comment

Thugs with badges. We see this more and more. I am conservative as they come, but I no longer support our police departments. They are here to "protect and serve", but they are becoming militarized and view the general public as their enemy.

12
325
 Click to rate
Report comment

Typical cop behavior. Without the video, this guy would have gotten away with it. Would have been his word against hers.

13
337
 Click to rate
Report comment

Wearing orange to your press conference about being in jail... not a good idea.

140
39
 Click to rate
Report comment

Once again.. another case! I am wonder why i am not minimally surprise to read this...they are just a bunch of bullies with the right to carry a gun.

11
206
 Click to rate
Report comment

Most cops are decent but when they're bad they are AWFUL. Dont drink/drug in public and stay out of bad neighborhoods. There's always room for a lawsuit later but when you are arrested you are completely under their control and helpless.

7
176
 Click to rate
Report comment

Only in America.

214
61
 Click to rate
Report comment

I almost wanted to blame it on her being drunk until I saw that puddle of blood. That's absolutely sickening and he had no right. Some people get a uniform and badge and abuse their power, he belongs in jail.

12
281
 Click to rate

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now