Chicago cop guilty of reckless homicide, DUI in death of cyclist

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN Criminal Courts Reporter rhussain@suntimes.com January 18, 2012 3:30PM

Richard Bolling as he walks through the lobby of the Criminal Courts Building at 26 & California. Tuesday, January 10, 2012. | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

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Updated: January 18, 2012 4:01PM

A Cook County jury Wednesday found a Chicago cop who ran over a 13-year-old cyclist guilty of reckless homicide and drunken driving.

After deliberating for nine hours, a jury found Richard Bolling, 42, guilty of reckless homicide, aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of an accident.

Bond was immediately revoked for Bolling, who was taken into custody. He faces up to 15 years in prison, although he could receive probation.

During his trial, Bolling admitted he drank alcohol before getting behind the wheel of his Dodge Charger on May 22, 2009 and slamming into Trenton Booker,

But he had denied he was drunk or immediately knew he hit the boy.

In closing arguments Tuesday afternoon, Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Ashley Romito told jurors Bolling may not have woken up with the intention of killing Trenton or anyone else, but he still committed a crime.

Bolling's attorney, Thomas Needham, said that his client did not receive any favors when he was arrested blocks from the wreck at 81st and Ashland.

The 17-year Chicago Police veteran was willing to take the field sobriety tests and is heard in a squad car recording, saying, "Please, I'll take it" when it was suggested he perform four exercises.

It was not his fault officers administered the field sobriety tests two hours after the wreck and gave him a Breathalyzer 4 1/2 hours later, Needham insinuated.

"Whoever was making the decisions when they should be done, it wasn't Richard Bolling," Needham said.

Prosecutor Peter Goutos disagreed, noting that in addition to the delay in the tests, arresting officers took Bolling to a restroom at a nearby gas station — a courtesy not given to most suspects.

And it was Bolling who willingly told the officers, "I'm the police" when he stepped out of his vehicle.

"Are you kidding me?" Goutos said of the idea that Bolling did not receive favorable treatment.

Bolling's blood alcohol level registered at .079 percent — just a bit shy of the .08 legal intoxication level when he finally took the Breathalyzer. Had he been given the test sooner his blood alcohol level would have been between .124 or .169, according to Jennifer Bash, an Illinois State Police forensic toxicologist testifying for prosecutors.

Before closing arguments Tuesday afternoon, Needham presented Ohio-based forensic toxicologist Alfred Staubus, who deemed Bolling's Breathalyzer results as "scientifically unreliable," partly because he was not given two consecutive tests. Goutos said Bolling's demeanor in the back of the squad car sharply contrasted with his behavior when he testified last week.

"We're not talking about fall-down drunk. We're talking about impairment," he said.

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