The Gaughans spent almost 2 years fighting the false charges against them. It all started when Brian Gaughan, Kevin Gaughan, and their younger brother Patrick were at a Settler’s Day Carnival. Patrick, who was 15 at a time, saw a man who had stolen his skateboard. Brian went up to the man and started arguing with them. They both used quiet voices and were not disturbing anyone. However, Officer Crawford, who was standing off to the side and smoking a cigarette, got more and more upset at the argument. Finally he came up to the two men and told them to leave. After Brian Gaughan and his brothers turned around and started walking away, Brian said “one, two, three” softly, his back turned to Crawford. Crawford then grabbed Brian from behind, threw him on the ground and handcuffed him. He proceeded to torture him, grabbing him by the handcuffs and pulling him up by them, then dropping him back down on his face, in the process causing Brian Gaughan wrist and upper arm damage. After this was done, Brian was on the ground, screaming, with his hands still cuffed behind his back. Hundreds of people saw the incident and twenty three of them came forward as witnesses. Seeing his brother in obvious pain, Kevin ran up to him and bent down next to him, attempting to help him. At this point Officer Kelly Given grabbed Kevin from behind and arrested him. Officer Crawford took Brian Gaughan, lifted him up by the handcuffs yet again and put his face through the police station wall. Later on a bill would be sent to Brian Gaughan Sr., the boys’ father, to pay for the wall that was broken with his son’s face.
The Gaughans have spent years and over $140,000 fighting these charges. No end seems to be in sight, as the judge in the case issues continuance after continuance, in order to cost the Gaughans more money and to prevent this from going to trial. The State Police refused to investigate this incident and found Officer Crawford not guilty of wrongdoing. The reason for this is that the State Police Officers in this case were friends of the Marengo Police Officers. You can watch what this investigation involves on this website:
http://marengogazette.blogspot.com/. After that, the Gaughans had their door broken down by the police, who had their guns drawn, in order to arrest them for filing a false complaint against a police officer. This is an endless ordeal and we need as much help as possible from you who read this. Please write to Lisa Madigan, Attorney General of Illinois:
Lisa Madigan
IL Attorney Generals Office
100 W. Randolf St
Chicago, IL 60601
312-814-3000
July 9,2006
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