Jury selection begins in CPD excessive force lawsuit over CTA shooting

Jury selection to begin in CPD excessive force lawsuit over CTA shooting

A federal jury is set to decide on whether Chicago police officers violated a man's civil rights when they shot him at CTA station

CHICAGO - Jury selection began Monday in a federal civil rights trial involving a man who was shot by a Chicago police officer at a CTA Red Line station in 2020.

What we know:

The case centers on Ariel Roman, who was wounded during a confrontation with police at the Grand station during rush hour. 

Former Chicago police officer Melvina Bogard fired the shots after she and another officer struggled to detain Roman, who was unarmed, while attempting to issue him a citation, authorities said.

Bogard was previously acquitted of aggravated battery and official misconduct in the shooting. Despite the acquittal, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability determined the shooting violated department policy and was unjustified.

The outcome of the civil trial could carry financial consequences for the city if Roman prevails. 

Jury selection began at 9 a.m., with the trial anticipated to last about two weeks at the Dirksen Federal Building.