Calhoun acquitted of charges following large fight at resaurant

Posted on January 10, 2015

Jury took three hours to deliberate. (flickr)

By Terry James

BLOOMINGTON – A 19-year-old woman has been acquitted of aggravated battery on a Bloomington police officer and resisting arrest charges against a police officer in McLean County.

Police were called to the Denny's restaurant on Eldorado Road June 13th to a fight and stabbing involving several hundred people. Gabriella Calhoun, 19, was found not guilty of pushing the police officer during the large altercation.  Her attorney told the court race was a factor in the was the crowd was treated.  

Calhoun claims she lost two teeth and was handcuffed with her tube top pulled down to her waist.  

The prosecution says police were met with resistance while trying to do their jobs.  Police felt a surveillance video will support the officers accounts of what happened that night. The jury didn't agree.

Race became a factor in the case after it was revealed Bloomington's police chief disciplined sergeant Ed Shumaker who reportedly told another officer he hopes the black stabbing victim quote "bleeds to death." Chief Brendan Heffner says the department is disturbed and deeply saddened by the officers remarks that were heard on a tape played for the judge in Calhoun's trial.

Terry James can be reached at [email protected].

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